Review: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band

Review: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band

[Dead Oceans - 2009]

7.6/10

The Seattle quintet Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band have been getting a lot of coverage for three reasons. The first is their undeniably endearing back story. Via Poptartssucktoasted:

"The band started with me (Benjamin) teaching my adopted little brother how to play drums. I promised Marshall we would play a show when he progressed. His rate of his progression was faster than expected. I encouraged my friends Jared and Matt to join the band and lastly, my wife, Traci agreed to be a part of MSHVB." When Matthew took up the drums as an 11-year-old, Benjamin promised him that when he got good enough, they'd start a band togetherThe second reason is for these Public Service Announcement videos that they created for the band's myspace to generate interest before they even had any music up. The third and most warranted is, obviously, their music. MSHVB is a rock band and their songs are as dynamic and frenetic as the Tower of Terror. In fact, they sound as coffee infused as our beloved city itself.

The Good: Much of their music is imbued with the incessant energy of Wolf Parade and the playful dynamics of fellow northwesters Modest Mouse. Because MSHVB's structural shifts are more shifts in tempo or volume rather than the more sudden and abrasive key changes of band's like Of Montreal, their sound is remarkably at once accessible and shocking. Each of their songs is a layered, multi-segmented journey through energy. Saturated with playful melodies and endearing hooks galore, I get the sense that they are just out to have fun and they would love it if you would join them. On the album's second track "Masquerade" a Guitar Here worthy riff start out the song, giving way to an upbeat verse that nearly demands dancing. The best moment comes shortly after this however, when the persistent beat drops into the anti-chorus waltz, backed by multipart harmonies wailed in such a way to make Akron/family proud (particularly half way through "Going on a Hunt"). The album was recorded by Scott Colburn who has graced the likes of Animal Collective, Arcade Fire. So yeah, they got that going for them.

The Bad: The songs can get a little too frenetic at times, occasionally crossing the line from dynamic to chaotic. Sometimes it feels like they just try to fit too many parts into one song. While this may just be an antidote for cultural ADD it also tends to make some of the songs difficult to recall. As soon as something begins, it is over. Live, this sort of thing can translate into awe as in "what just happened?!" But unfortunately on the record it can come off as a little impatient. Also, the ever persistent guitar riff-age borders on the more over indulgent side of bands like Fall of Troy and Mars Volta.

The Verdict: Despite the about 50 references to other bands I have made already, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band is almost certainly as creative as their moniker. The music is at once extremely confident and immediate yet still innocent and inviting. It took me a little while to decide if I liked this band. I wondered if their technical prowess and shifting structures were just a front, hiding shoddy songwriting. I have actually had this interview sitting in the draft box for about a month and a half. So far the record has not only held up, but only gotten better. Its as catchy and rewarding a listen as it was the first time.