Reviewed by Kit Burns
Vast Countenance/As We Please
’60s revisionists Vast Countenance makes me wish I grew up during that decade instead of just being born then. As We Please is jam-packed with musical reference points from the Vietnam War era: the bad-boy strut of the Rolling Stones; the hippie harmonizing of Crosby, Stills & Nash; and the Southern grime and soulful pulse of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Ironically, Vast Countenance are neither American nor British, the two countries which ruled rock & roll at the time. Hailing from the Netherlands, Vast Countenance have studied their homework well.
While many of today’s garage rockers such as the Hives have focused on being snotty and punk, Vast Countenance take a decidedly more melodic and eclectic direction. “Trumpet Slide” looks to vintage Lou Reed for inspiration with its moody, black-cloud riffs. “Clay” narrates a failing relationship with an atmospheric nod to Pink Floyd. “Easyride” finds the lads jangling their guitars with a Byrds-like glide. When Vast Countenance want to rock, watch out as “This Year’s Fall” and “Swimmer Song” will leave you in the dust.
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