Abe Vigoda Albums (3)
What The Critics Say
After releasing the impressive and promising Skeleton in summer of 2008, the L.A. band Abe Vigoda doesn't change much on the stopgap Reviver EP they released in early 2009. They still hit a sweet spot between the noise pop, experimental rock, and tropical-inspired indie rock that Animal Collective once called home. They still manage to barely corral their wildness and make inspired and exciting songs instead of unleashing an out of control hot mess. If anything, the four original songs on the record are a touch more accessible and melodic than anything from the album, with the insistent "House" and tumbling "The Reaper" having actual hooks that will stick after only one listen. The originals are so strong that the dirge-like cover of Stevie Nicks "'Wild Heart" seems unnecessary, and maybe even a little ill-advised. It sounds like a stunt cover that they could pull out at a live show, not something they needed to devote six precious minutes of airtime to. Still, if you were captured by Skeleton and found its synthesis of styles and sounds thrilling, you'll definitely want to get a hold of Reviver, too. It's just as good. ~ Tim Sendra, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
With the success of bands like Health and No Age, the pressure was really on for fellow Los Angeles noise punks Abe Vigoda to carry the torch lit at the Smell. On Skeleton, their third album overall and first for Dean Spunt's (No Age) PPM label, the band steps it up accordingly, and offers listeners a compelling cross section of what's currently happening in the indie underground. They share No Age's penchant for noisy dissonance (as heard on the instrumental "Whatever Forever" and "Visi Rings") and Health's clattering, frenetic drumming style, but on the majority of the record, Abe Vigoda's newfound interest in tropical and world music takes the forefront, their reverbed guitars even going so far as to mimic the sound of steel drums. The vocals find a common ground between the chants of Liars ("The Garden") and the harmonies of bands like Animal Collective ("Animal Ghosts") and Dirty Projectors ("Lantern Lights"), and the quartet shares the experimental and playful spirit of those groups -- as well as Brooklyn's High Places, whose faux steel drum pings Abe Vigoda's recall. But while the individual sounds on the album might be traceable to their contemporaries, Abe Vigoda manage to combine them to make a tribal-tropical art-punk sound that is wholly their own. Skeleton is one of the more interesting releases of the summer, and proves that Abe Vigoda are more than worthy of joining their peers in the spotlight. ~ Corey Kahn, All Music Guide
