Review: Viva Viva - S/T
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 9:00AM 
Viva Viva's self-titled debut is just the record I needed, at just the right time. I spend so much time listening to music, but rarely get a chance to get lost in a gritty rock n' roll record the way I used to. In fact, I was starting to think I could no longer appreciate the simple pleasures of an overdriven guitar, steady beat and straightforward lyrics delivered with passion. I guess I just haven't been listening to the right bands.
Viva Viva certainly wear their influences on their sleeves - their sound is an amalgam of the seedier side of the British Invasion mixed with bluesy pub rock (a la The 101ers). The Farfisa organ that pops up throughout the album sounds like vintage Steve Nieve circa-This Year's Model. "Sympathy For The Devil's Little Helper" gets its title from two classic Stones songs, but is a heavy guitar and harmonica blues stomp that has more in common with Led Zeppelin. "Valentine's" driving beat and spiky guitar lead sounds like a long lost relative of Bowie's "Suffragette City", and flat out dares listeners not to dance. "First Time I Saw Her" has the ragged swagger of a 70s Springsteen classic. The list goes on.
By now I'm sure I've compared Viva Viva to one or more of your favorite bands. What's most impressive though, is the band's ability to seamlessly integrate all of these influences into something original and soulful. Songs that are broken-in and comfortable like old favorites, catchy enough to sing along during your first listen and delivered with enough confidence to make you really believe that this is the greatest rock n' roll band in the world. It's nice to get that feeling back. Yeah, you could say I'm sold on Viva Viva.
You can find Viva Viva's self-titled record at Newbury Comics or download it at the band's bandcamp page. They'll be in Providence on December 3 with Hands and Knees and keep your eyes peeled for Boston dates. The band is also up for a BMA - don't forget to vote!
