6 VHS or Beta Night on Fire Astralwerks | 2004 | Album Biography Comments (0) Read Full Page Digg Review Add del.icio.us   VHS or Beta is the type of band caught between two worlds. On one hand, they owe a great deal to 80’s new wave romantics like Duran Duran but on the other hand, they seem almost desperate to hold onto their indie music street cred. Many of the songs on the band’s album Night on Fire have that slick 80s sheen that was a popular staple of the music of that day. What they lack to completely succeed in that direction are songs with killer hooks and a sense of melody. While VHS or Beta may still have some work to do in the songwriting department, they are accomplished players - especially first-rate drummer Mark Guidry and bassist Mark Palgy who keep the tight rhythm section rocking. The band plays to their strengths on some of the more listener friendly tunes such as the title track “Night on Fire” and “You Got Me”. Both are hip in the fact that they sound retro. With a power ballad synth sound and melodramatic lyrics, these are the kind of songs made for angst ridden listeners who drive too fast with the tops of their sports cars rolled down on hot summer nights. “The Melting Moon” and “The Ocean” are the kind of songs that are crying to be true pop tunes but they fall just a little too short in that they encourage crowds to dance along more than sing along. But if it’s dancing that VHS or Beta fans are in the mood for than you can bop around to one of the many epic instrumentals tracks peppered throughout the album. The best of these is a funky piece called “Nightwaves”. It’s best described as 80s club vibe mixed with the sounds you might here coming from an old-school video arcade. It’s a little too busy at times, but it still cries out for inclusion on the soundtrack of a Miami Vice remake. Some of the other instrumental songs are stretched a bit thin. They last too long, sound too similar and quickly wear out their welcome. It’s true that everything old is, at some time, new again. VHS or Beta may be lucky enough to have the right sound to ride the 1980’s revival, but the band does have the musical chops to do something a bit more original – if they so choose. It’ll be interesting to see what they come up with in the future. While they may have to take their sound in a slightly new direction if/when the 80s wave peters out, I just hope they don’t change their name to DVD. Amy Wagner Comments (0) Help Support Kevchino - Use these links to buy new music.

Releases VHS or Beta - Night on Fire Astralwerks - 2004 - Album Artist Website VHS or Beta - Official Website