Are VCR still relevant in this modern world?
Chicks On Speed made a big thing about the fact that they don't play guitars but considering they were three girls playing electro music, that wasn't much of a boast. VCR don't play guitars but with three keyboard players at the fore front of their sound, they do try and rock out as much as possible and 'Power Destiny' can't be accused of lacking in venom and spirit, even if it does lack the six string instruments so beloved by the masses.
In all fairness, the album does rock out but it just does it in a different way. Perhaps due to the numbers of keyboards, there is more freedom to meander and travel with their sound and there is a very sci-fi like sound quality to the bands sound. Sadly it is a 1970's futuristic sci-fi sound and the album manages to sound very dated and almost nostalgic in its strange phasings and fills. If you ever felt Tomorrows World never showcased enough hard rock then VCR may be just making all your dreams come alive.
The vocals come across like Josh Homme's when they are at their most melodious, at other times its just a throaty yell. Chad Middleton's main vocals are quite pulverising and certainly compete with most of his rivals in peers today.
The annoying thing about this album is that it comes across more as a novelty rather than standing by its own merits. The songs are all fine and well played, and yes, the sound holds together well but theres not much to keep coming back to. Alternating between slow and fast songs does allow for some variety but when that's all there is, it begins to wear and by the end of the album, things get a bit samey.
With 'Serious Drugs' sadly not being a cover of the seminal BMX Bandits hit but instead, its a widdly sounding up-beat smash, almost as if The Ramones played keyboards instead of guitars.
And that's one of the over-riding emotions of the record; you hear a song but you then convert it in your mind to what it would sound like if a rock band of the normal perception was playing it.
Perhaps the name VCR is an indication of the future for the band and perhaps in their current incarnation they will only remain valid and of use for a minority. Make no mistake that minority will adore them but its unlikely many more will.