Songs of blasphemy, murder, religion and vampires and it is just an EP. Equal Vision's newly acquired VAUX gives us a taste of what we can expect from this band. Plague Music is a fitting title to this EP in more ways than one.
There is no doubt that this is a very talented group of musicians. Their diversity shines throughout Plague Music whether it is the Eastern influenced "Sex Will Happen Tonight" or the raucous opener "Celibate Good Times" VAUX appears to be a band that will try to evolve with each release. A sextet with three guitarists the comparisons to At the Drive-In are already being hurled around but I think people are getting way ahead of themselves.
"RAID" sounds too much like the opener in both song structure and vocally while the danceable "Dearest Darkest" is a nice variation but could do without the hideous vocal effects in the intro and the verses. The self-titled closer is the heaviest song on Plague Music before winding down while vocalist Quentin Smith sings, "Nobody is famous anymore."
Plague Music is such a chaotic listen that it can be hard to listen to at times. VAUX continues to grow and with each release they appear to be refining their sound this is just the next gradual step.
2.5/4
Similar sounding releases
2005Bear vs. SharkTerrorhawk
2004The Nation BlueDamnation
2004These Arms Are SnakesOxeneers or The Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home
2004Hot CrossFair Trades and Farewells
2005AteriaviaRegarding The Midwest: Sleeping
2002My SpacecoasterEP2
