Over the past 20 years, many (typically older individuals) have lamented what has been labelled “the death of rock music.” They point to the decreasing popularity of the genre, the emergence of thoughtless, corporate pop-rock stars like Machine Gun Kelly and the broad shift from recording with physical instruments to using computerized production services. Additionally, the biggest rock bands today seem to be holdovers from the past, with ’80s, ’90s and early ’00s groups consistently drawing the biggest crowds while on tour. While this rather pessimistic view on rock has its merits, a large number of lesser-known modern bands have been able to produce quality music in the past 10 years. American garage/post-punk revival band Vundabar, most popular for their hit song “Alien Blues,” is just one example of the refreshing voices in the modern rock scene. Surgery and Pleasure, their latest album, offers several great tracks with a unique garage tone, though some songs on the tracklist take away from the record’s highs.
The album’s opening track, “Life Is A Movie,” skillfully introduces the album with raw guitar riffs, a crisp bass line and a punchy drum performance showcasing the unique sound that the album embodies. The singer, Brandon Hagen, first delivers a verse reminiscent of David Byrne’s work with the Talking Heads, before singing a powerful chorus like the Hives’ lead singer Pelle Almqvist. “Beta Fish” follows, with Hagen’s whispery vocals mixing beautifully with a growly bass in the song’s verses, while the chorus centers around a brilliant, bright guitar riff and more energetic vocals.
“Stallion Running” has a very discordant guitar and synthesizer delivery, which pairs well with a heavily compressed vocal track that features periods of yelling. Though certainly not to everyone’s taste, the song displays the band’s willingness to experiment with different, unique ideas. Unfortunately, “I Got Cracked” represented a sharp decrease in quality compared to the first three songs, with an irritating vocal sound and a mediocre instrumental track that only slightly elevates the bland lyrics.
“Spades” provides a slight recovery from the preceding track, with improved vocals accompanying a catchy guitar riff and dynamic drum part. The song masterfully moves through some unique stages. A strong, gritty bass line takes center stage in “Let Me Bleed,” with the drum and guitar parts providing a great presence, especially as the song builds to its ending. The track also contains some of Hagen’s most catchy and memorable lyrics, further helping the album recover from the aforementioned drop in quality.
In “Feels Like Forever,” the band offers a more reserved sound and vocal performance, providing a refreshing change of pace from some of the louder and faster tracks off the album. Despite the opportunity to capitalize on the mood change, “Feels Like Forever” fails to make a great impression with its slower pace, coming off as forgettable. “Hurricane” picks up the pace once again, with a driving guitar opening the track before dropping out so Hagen, the bass and the drums can provide an enjoyable first verse. However, the song’s chorus fails to deliver an enjoyable and exciting experience as a result of a disappointing vocal delivery.
As the album nears its close, “I Need You” features a beautifully soft sound, thanks to a reflective guitar riff and a reserved drum performance. Hagen’s voice works wonderfully with the mood of the song, and the lyrics he delivers come off as much more mature and polished than those of some earlier songs on the album. The song crescendos perfectly as it nears its close, making sure not to overdo the increased volume. “Easy Does It” fails to make a great impression, partially due to its position after “I Need You,” as well as its generally unpleasant vocals and bland song structure.
The album’s ultimate track, “Why Is It So Hard To Say Goodbye,” fittingly deals with the troubles of moving on from a past connection or memory. Hagen’s voice and a simple, warm bass performance serve as the song’s two main components, with drums absent and a heavily subdued guitar part. Though the song’s theme and mood serve as an appropriate outro for the album, I believe that ending the album at “I Need You” may have created a greater listening experience due to the lackluster components of “I Need You” and “Why Is It So Hard To Say Goodbye.”
Vundabar’s Surgery and Pleasure ultimately stands as a decent entry into the modern indie rock catalogue. Though the album will surely not be considered one of the genre’s most legendary works, Vundabar successfully delivered several captivating songs, complete with a refreshing sound throughout. I hope to continue to track Vundabar as they continue to release music in the not-truly-dead genre of rock music.
Matthew Rentezelas is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences. He can be reached at mmr255@cornell.edu.
