New York-based quintet Vinyette comprised of Nathan Frye (aka “The Delicious Punk Wall Stomper Vocalist”), Danny Monico (aka “Mastermind Overlord and Guitars”), Jay Ambrose (aka “Gap Filler and Bass”), Myles de Bastion (aka “Always Last To Know, Guitars, Synths, and the Rest of It”), and Jonathan Crowley (aka “Chain Puller and Drums”) have recently released a four-track, self-titled EP that introduces their angst-ridden, ambient arrangements and avant-garde cover-art to the Big Apple and beyond.
At first each song feels epically long, clocking in at nearly five minutes or more, and increasing mysteriously by a minute on each subsequent track. A path of changing tempos, rhythms, moods, melodic motifs, and transitions require active and alert observation; and discerning ears may interpret these intra-song variations as “movements” rather than unpredictable switches. Besides giving listeners more bang for their buck, the lengthy time lapse allows the band’s themes to come to fruition, painting a different and dynamic scenario with each track. Channeling eminent 90’s tenors from grunge, metal, “Seattle sound,” and progressive rock, Vinyette build innovatively from their inspirations.
Muted shouts of “Lights! Camera! Action!” on “The Porno” appropriately open Vinyette’s EP, and promptly move into a patchwork of paces, permeating power, and provocative prose. The stomping single, downloadable for free on Bandcamp.com, establishes Vinyette's vehement sound. Telephone ringing and ringing guitars that segue into aggressive snare rolls launch “Crawling Up the Wrist’s” turbulent tinge. Decelerating into a heavy interlude, the song quickly returns to its initial intensity via guitar arpeggios and pummeling percussion. The EP's third selection “Genealogy of Morons” evolves from a ticking time bomb of wispy vocals and taciturn tapping, and temporarily settles into a dance-y beat before drifting into Vinyette’s propensity for urgency. For Vinyette’s closing eight minute act “Hope in the Rain” demonstrates the more subdued side of the band, highlighting the softer dimension of Nathan Frye’s volatile vocal style.
Vinyette’s May 1, 2009 EP release is not for the impatient or those in search of typical song structure, rather it is fit for fans of a more uncensored approach to music. The band’s recent release foreshadows a promising sketch for Vinyette’s upcoming projects, and intensifies interest in their future direction of musical surprises. Visit Vinyette at www.vinyette.com, www.myspace.com/vinyetteband, or on Facebook for band, concert, and EP details, and get “tweeted” at twitter.com/vinyette.
