REVIEW: Vinyl Devotion, If They Know You're Trying (Widely Distributed)
- Bob Gajarsky
The sweet voice of Shalini Chatterjee and a twelve string are the constants throughout "Aren't You Bored California", one of six tracks on the Vinyl Devotion E.P., If They Know You're Trying. Chatterjee wrote this track, which seems to claim as influences bands like R.E.M. and the Byrds. The lead vocals smoothly flow throughout; if Kim Deal (Pixies, Breeders) were taking sedatives, this is what she might sound like.
Think you've read this before? Well, in a way, you have. A review of this track appeared in this very spot in 1993. In the ensuing time period, the San Francisco based group has garnered a distribution deal and released their debut CD through Widely Distributed Records of Chicago.
The Byrds' influence can be heard throughout most of Trying and continues on "Antagonist", which combines the 60's multi-track vocal sound with a definite "alternative" sounding guitar and drum section. The cause for this influence might be found in the producer of the album: Scott Miller (Game Theory, Loud Family). In fact, Gil Ray of Game Theory stops in to help with drums on one of the tracks.
Miller also co-wrote the leadoff track with Chatterjee, "Be The Quarter Monster". It's this song that prompted the album's title, with the line "Everyone's cold if they know you're trying - or if they know you're hurt". The guitars that carry the song remind one of a Killing Joke riff.
"Sorry Isn't Good Enough" is a beautifully crafted 2 minute tune, in the musical style of Lush or the Primitives, which will immediately capture the listener's attention. The lyrics tell a different story; "After wheels came motorcycles smeared with blood and scorn / Angels fighting for teenagers hardly worth to mourn / Sorry isn't good enough when there's time to think / in a million different places wallpapered in pink". Nothing fancy musically here, but quite enjoyable nonetheless.
"Antagonist" musically, is a throwback to some Pixies tracks - the guitars and drums sure don't get lost in this one. As is the case for most of the album, Chatterjee tries creating her own wall of sound in the length for the "perfect" pop single - under 3 minutes.
So, why is this release only available on disk? According to Chatterjee, the name Vinyl Devotion does not refer to the band's love for vinyl, but instead refers to "people fooling themselves that they are obsessed with something".
The debut from Vinyl Devotion, If They Know You're Trying, is heartily recommended to fans of indie sounding bands (such as the early Pixies), Big Star or any of Scott Miller's various groups. For more information, the band can be contacted through Mitochondria Records at P.O. Box 411122, San Francisco, California, 94141-1122.
