Spring Break
New release from VHS or Beta is most commercial yet
By: Valerie Bishop
Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Aggielife
Kentucky dance pop/rock group VHS or Beta released their newest album Bring on the Comets on EMI label, Astralwerks. The radio-friendly follow up to album Night on Fire and EP Le Funk is catchy, a little glittery and super poppy. Bring on the Comets is perhaps a bit more commercial than the trio's previous releases, which may help to pull in new fans.
VHS or Beta, named after the VHS/Betamax videotape format war of the 1970s and 1980s, consists of frontman Craig Pfunder, bassist Mark Palgy and drummer Mark Guidry, a trio that has been the core group since the band started ten years ago. The band attributes its style to influences of a variety of 1980s artists such as The Cure and Duran Duran.
Like most commercial pop albums, Bring on the Comets crams all of its best tracks at the beginning of the album to give it a strong start. The album starts with a quick one-minute crescendo and decrescendo of an upbeat dance beat and melody that leads into fun, guitar-heavy "Love in My Pocket." This track is followed by "She Says," a song that is oddly reminiscent of Coldplay in parts. Next up is the album's first single, "Can't Believe a Single Word," which is not surprisingly one of the catchier tracks on the new album.
The album loses a little bit of steam by the time it hits the eighth and title track, "Bring on the Comets." This track is more mellow than previous songs. After the title track, the tracks become longer and seem to drag on slightly. The mellow vibe continues towards the end, creating "cool down" effect.
To see what VHS or Beta is all about, test-drive the whole album for free from AOL music. Fans looking to buy the new album should consider downloading it from iTunes to get the exclusive bonus track called "Army of None."
Fans can catch the band on tour in Texas towards the end of this month with stops in Dallas on Sept. 20 and Austin on Sept. 21. Concerts are best suited for music lovers ready for a giant dance party.
VHS or Beta, named after the VHS/Betamax videotape format war of the 1970s and 1980s, consists of frontman Craig Pfunder, bassist Mark Palgy and drummer Mark Guidry, a trio that has been the core group since the band started ten years ago. The band attributes its style to influences of a variety of 1980s artists such as The Cure and Duran Duran.
Like most commercial pop albums, Bring on the Comets crams all of its best tracks at the beginning of the album to give it a strong start. The album starts with a quick one-minute crescendo and decrescendo of an upbeat dance beat and melody that leads into fun, guitar-heavy "Love in My Pocket." This track is followed by "She Says," a song that is oddly reminiscent of Coldplay in parts. Next up is the album's first single, "Can't Believe a Single Word," which is not surprisingly one of the catchier tracks on the new album.
The album loses a little bit of steam by the time it hits the eighth and title track, "Bring on the Comets." This track is more mellow than previous songs. After the title track, the tracks become longer and seem to drag on slightly. The mellow vibe continues towards the end, creating "cool down" effect.
To see what VHS or Beta is all about, test-drive the whole album for free from AOL music. Fans looking to buy the new album should consider downloading it from iTunes to get the exclusive bonus track called "Army of None."
Fans can catch the band on tour in Texas towards the end of this month with stops in Dallas on Sept. 20 and Austin on Sept. 21. Concerts are best suited for music lovers ready for a giant dance party.
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