Click here for photos of Violens at CMJ 2009 in New York, NY in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery
Brooklyn indie-pop act Violens sparked attention last year around the City That Never Sleeps, and now their pseudo-self-titled EP is getting a re-release. As opposed to borough mates like Crystal Stilts (QRO album review), Vivian Girls (QRO album review), caUSE co-MOTION! (QRO album review), or The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (QRO album review), Violens don’t look to the fuzzy garage sounds of the fifties, but the bright, and even psychedelic music of the decade that came after.
The a-side to v is the stronger one, as Violens adds a press to their sound that gives it some much-needed heft. Whether light & airy like opener “Already Over”, or mixing neo-Sixties sunshine and far-out splendor with “Spectator & Pupil”, the speed helps them stand out. Unfortunately, the b-side “Doomed” and “Violent Sensation Descends” lack that, their synth-choral coming off a little sickly sweet.
Just before hitting South-by-Southwest (QRO preview), and then a jaunt to France and London, it’s a nice time for Violens to slip their nice EP back into the indie world.