It was another late night and an early morning (for people like me who can’t find employment), but I’m awake and listening to Viv and the Revival’s The Introduction way before my mind has been able to process that it’s a new day. Although my eyes are heavy and fear’s in my mind over being caught in the rain, I’m falling in love with this record and I’m not sure why. Maybe it has something to do with the radio friendly ways of a trio of tracks or the sex appeal of others. While cupids arrows failed to make me love it all, I’m in for most of it.
Let’s get the letdowns out of the way first. “I Want It” and “Shook Up.” I know I just said the radio thing, but these were like the weird side of KROQ, the side that makes me turn the dial. Then there were the songs that lent themselves to a dance floor; “Rocket to Mars” and “Taxi Man.” These were not for me, but there were others that were and we’re going to talk about them now.
“Criminals” and “Welcome to a Good Time,” here’s my radio darlings. The first has Top 40 written all over it, while the other sounds like you mated Cage The Elephant and Shwayze and got something 100 times better than the parents. “Welcome to a Good Time” is destined for an Apple product commercial. It’s not the marketable gems that made me sit back and fully go, “LOVE.” That was all “Forever.” As someone who has anxiety attacks on a nightly basis thanks to the fear of death, this song sang louder than the rest. It kind of eased my nerves with the declarations of not being afraid of life or death, but the possibility of being forgotten. Maybe that’s my ultimate fear too?
Viv and the Revival sound like they could tour with either Fall Out Boy (thanks to FOB’s ability to take out the most eclectic mix of opening acts) or bands like Maroon 5. They’re style of rock is all over the map but cohesive enough that it works and works well. The Introduction has a little something for everyone whether you’re into pure rock, alternative, rock with a little flare – it’s all there.
Leave a Reply