In music these days, Birmingham has been mostly known for giving the world American Idol contestants, but the steel city of the South can finally live that down, thanks to locals Vulture Whale. On their second self-titled full-length, the band adds some upbeat fun to their alt-country/rock, making it a far more remarkable piece of work. As an antidote to the sometimes-overweening self-confidence of alt-country/rock bands (see: Kings of Leon’s latest, Only by the Night – QRO review), Vulture Whale II hits the spot.
Things start off very well with the totally catchy “Teedy”, some upswinging alt-country grit-rock that not only introduces Vulture Whale, but stays with you throughout the record. Party-time fun, with humor, pervades much of II, and it is done well at the opening, with the garage-catch “Thought Eyes”, memorably funny “Head Turner”, and grit-jangle with bouncing beat on “Guillotine”. Along with jammin’ press finisher “Ever Body”, Vulture Whale’s rock ‘n’ roll good-time spirits are infectious.
In between, the band does change things up a bit. That change starts a bit weak with “Sugar” and “Sum Yung Scientist”, as the two tracks’ lack of spark isn’t replaced by anything, leaving them simplistic and forgettable. But Vulture Whale up their game with “Tote It To Cleveland, Al”, bringing an interesting, darker press to the piece’s lighter elements. Then wistfulness comes out on “The Waves” and “What Do”, the former playing higher (the record might have been better served, had “Waves” been earlier), the latter standing out as the world-weary wist is laid over country grit, making the whole piece kind of epic.
There is certain simplicity to Vulture Whale’s sound on much of their sophomore eponymous album, but the humor livens it up without ever being sophomoric. They will probably need to grow even further later on, but right now, Vulture Whale II is just a whole lotta fun.
