Three's a lucky number, right folks? Apologies for the delay on this album review as I know you guy's are absolutely DYING to hear MY CRUCIAL OPINIONS. I'm just that much of influence, right (no.)? This second semester of college has thrown me into such a packed schedule that all I have to say is expect the unexpected. There has been something providing me some solace though, and that is The Velveteers. This Boulder-based trio has had a whirlwind of a career thus far, headlining their own tours as well as opening up for the likes of The Smashing Pumpkins and Greta Van Fleet. The only direction they're going is up, and they're JUST getting started.
The first time I ever heard The Velveteers, like ever, was when they performed as openers for Greta Van Fleet. I was immediately hooked to their sound and persona. Though this album review might seem it has slight bias because I've seen them live, let me remind you this is all open-handed, honest opinions. Y'all know me, if I don't like something, I'll say it. Whatever praise you see in this review, trust me, the deserve all of it and so much more.
So without further stalling, here is the album review for...
Featured Tracks: Father of Lies, Charmer and The Snake
Blasphemuse! Picks: Choking, Limboland, Brightest Light, Bless Your Little Heart.
Tracklist Overview:
1. Dark Horse - 7.5/10
To kick off the album, listeners are met with this fantasy, medieval-esque song that is a pretty good hook. The first verse and chorus are alright, nothing too special yet, but it sets the mood for the rest of the song. The lyrics are hypnotic and alluring, Demi Demitro's vocals adding depth to the storytelling. Past the second verse is when things start ramping up a little, giving newer listeners a sense of who The Velveteers exactly are. The bridge is absolutely electrifying and while I do wish this was introduced earlier in the song, I can see what the members were trying to do and they did it very well.
Whimsical, intense, in your face, yet also soft and delicate at times. It's a juxtaposition that's difficult to execute successfully, but The Velveteers seem to do it with the upmost ease.
2. Motel #27 - 8/10
This follow up to the starting track is one that will get your head and heart pounding. Here, we are truly able to understand the roles of Baby Pottersmith and Jonny Fig in the band. We have versatile energies that balance each other out, Pottersmith's playing leaning more on the fierce and wild side as Fig's veers more to the grounded energy throughout their entire discography. Motel #27 is definitely more on the new wave RIOT GRRRL side, again with Demitro shining through, except the vocals and riffs are something raw and primal, working in harmony with the percussions of Fig and Pottermsmith. The only critique that I could offer as a humble reviewer is that this track would've worked splendidly as the opening track. It's very powerful and an amazing introduction to the band.
This is also one of the songs that I've had the privilege of hearing live, and let me tell you something; whatever you feel listening to this song is amplified by a hundred if you ever get the privilege to hear it live.
3. Father Of Lies - 9/10
Listeners are placed right into the dream-ish land of the band, but this piece leans more literary in a sense, the track opens dialogue for the Biblical beings we are all so familiar with, whether you follow an Abrahamic religion or not. It is fear inducing as the haunting background vocals woven into the verses sounds like souls attempting to escape their own torment.
There's this kind of discord within the song itself, the rhythm in between verses goes from ramping up an adrenaline-filled song to a slow, smooth chorus that feels like it's trapping listeners in a time paradox. This is the first of the two featured tracks on this album, as well as being the first track to start a string of extremely powerful, perspective-enriched, and celestial tunes.
4. Bless Your Little Heart -10/10
Here we see the first Blasphemuse! pick on this tracklist. What I really appreciate about this song is a little bit unusual, but I'll go ahead and say it nonetheless; it's misleading. I feel as though when "misleading" is used in music, it's something that's immediately connoted to negativity; an amateur mistake or a general lack of organization. However, Bless Your Little Heart is a song that's meant to mislead in every good way possible. Listeners are met with a wonky riff, recreating the unease you feel in a fever dream.
The lyrics are accusatory and belittling to the listener, Demitro is able to put us in the place of the dreamer met with unusual circumstances. We shift into the chorus. It is chilling, it is haunting, it is equivalent to being lifted off of your feet against your will and into levitation. It taunts you. The rest of the song is a loop of all of these emotions and it is breathtakingly beautiful. This is a must listen from these folk.
5. Charmer And The Snake - 8.5/10
This featured track is the very essence of this trio's identity, as well as being their most recognizable and popular song. Charmer And The Snake is impending doom meets daydreamy alt rock. The opening riff is absolutely delectable and paired with Demitro's delicate vocals in the opening verse, it's no surprise why this song is one of their most popular songs. The lyrics are exactly what you'd expect from an album like this, hypnotic, a reclamation of power, a bite back at an over-confident lover. It's the tale of Adam and Eve in which the blame is shifted. This song is truly a work of art that you can listen to in depth or in passive listening.
The only thing I wish this song did was be placed earlier in the album as I believe this is a really great transitional piece.
6. Brightest Light - 10/10
Listeners are finally being given a break from the chaos of this album, or so we think. This track disguises itself as a sweet, wholesome song of admiration and love. It's the first song that relies mostly on acoustic instrumentals. Demitro takes a change from her raw, powerful nature to a more soft, delicate approach to vocals in this track. I feel like this truly showcases her versatility as a vocalists as well as a guitarist. The lyrics lean more on the side of daydream for a majority of the song, it's calming like stars twinkling in the night sky which seems to be what was intended for this track.
I don't want to spoil the track for anyone who plans on listening to this song, so I highly recommend giving this tune a listen. In good news, The Velveteers released a single late last year titled See Me that has a very similar vibe to this track, if you're a fan of the more acoustic, lighter side of the band.
7. What A Smile Can Hide - 7/10
I will admit, out of the entire album, this is the one song that I am a little bit iffy about and it's because of one thing. The melody of the chorus feels a little bit rushed, the verses beforehand set a precedent of one thing and the chorus itself just feels kind of there. In terms of lyricism of the chorus, there was something lost and I can't really pinpoint what it is. I feel as though this was a case in which that intent to mislead could make or break a song. Some highlights in this song can be traced back to vocals in the verses as well the instrumentals.
Staying in true Velveteer fashion, this song is whimsical and a fantasy, it leans more on the heavy side which is nice to see in their experimentation of this album.
8. Choking - 9/10
I personally adore this song with my entire being as it is truly interpretive and represents the nightmare in reality. This song is what I can imagine a spit-back to a sort of hypocrisy that forces this holier-than-thou belief system down the throats of people. It points out the weaknesses and the falters of what a fear-mongering, fear-based being that demonizes the expressive while also lusting after it. This song is raw, leaning loud and heavier modern alt-rock. I can imagine the clunkiest, heaviest of black boots pairing incredibly well with this song. Fig and Pottersmith do an incredibly job in intensifying Demitro's distorted guitar playing.
Where this song loses a point...I just wish it was longer!
9. Nightmare Daydream * - 8/10
The title track to the album is slow, bluesy, yet also galactic. The best way I can describe this song is renegade-space-cowgirl. It's more on the storytelling side in terms of lyricism, the vocals are not the emphasis of the track which is an interesting change in pace, meaning listeners who are enjoying this as a full album would really have to say attention or they would miss the whole song. It's distorted and sets the listener in limbo, which seems to be the goal as it sets the stage for the last track of this album.
I can't really say much else about this song as it needs to be experienced through listening rather than reading about it in order to understand the depth of this track.
10. Beauty Queens - 10/10
Another song that was absolutely exhilarating to see performed live, this track is perfect. It is a loud, in your face mod-rock that is evidently a mechanism to get your heart thumping. The lyricism is impeccable, incredibly poetic while also sticking it to a money-driven, superficial system. This is a track that highlights Fig's and Pottersmith's instrumental abilities without undermining Demitro's vocal abilities. I encourage listening to this song in a place that has a lot of room for jumping and dancing, it's an inevitable side effect that comes with Beauty Queens.
Just listen to the song, it's pretty damn spectacular.
11. Devil's Radio - 8/10
This song doesn't rely so much on heavy distortion as much as the other tracks on this album, but it's pretty solid in it's own right. The riffs in the first verse are truly electrifying and the drums are tribal, but in the sort of Where the Wild Things Are way. The rhythm and chorus sound Mad Hatter-y, like someone is on the pursuit of a downward spiral. It truly puts the "Nightmare" in Nightmare Daydream.
This song is pretty solid, it leans more on the side of meant to be catchy than it does towards lyric-centered, I definitely believe this is meant for more passive listening.
12. Limboland - 10/10
Finally, on to the last and, quite arguably, the best track on this album, Limboland. This is what I feel like is the end of the journey for the protagonist, whether they have reached paradise or their demise is up for debate. It's heartbreaking, sultry, and hypnotic. This song is definitely more on the slower side, but it's filled with all the Velveteer-ness. Here, Demitro's vocal range is the emphasis of the song. It's definitely on the softer side, but a lot more powerful and darker than her vocals on Brightest Light. The distortions of the guitar is also a key element in this song, something that can lull you to sleep, yet snatch you out of your slumber simultaneously.
This is another song that I've had the privilege of seeing performed live, it was truly breathtaking. I might've shed a tear or two. This is definitely the song I'd recommend to new listeners who are looking to get hooked.
Overall Rating: 8.75/10
Otherworldly. Electrifying. Whimsical. Haunting.
This album is absolutely incredible in the sense that the themes were executed perfectly, with little to no flaws at all. Fig and Pottersmith's dynamic drum duo is something pretty remarkable and a standout element in what makes The Velveteers so different. Demitro's lead guitar skills as well as her incredible vocal range are absolutely hypnotic. If you have the chance, go see them live, it is beyond worth it. I'm super excited to see what this trio has in store for the future.
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