Viva Montesa – Everyone’s Got Something Good To Say

Wow, this is incredible.”  I literally said that to my two year old while listening to this album. I’m not sure what I expected her to say when I told her, but she was the only one within earshot, and I had to tell someone.  I suppose I could’ve gone on Twitter or Facebook or something and told people that way, but instead I just blurted it out, expecting a toddler to respond and then maybe come over and listen and then fall in love.  She said, “Great, Daddy.” Then she went back to watching Peter Pan. But yeah, this album was so good, I just blurted it out without analyzing my surroundings. I sort of wish I was writing this in a Starbucks or something, but alas, I just had to blurt it out to an uncaring child. Eh, she’ll care soon enough. But it really is incredible.

Viva Montesa’s Everyone’s Got Something To Say is a throwback album. A throwback to a time when blues riffs and dirty, grimy sound was what rock and roll was. A throwback to when Marty McFly was teaching Chuck Berry how to play guitar (apparently). What is funny is with The Black Keys dominating airwaves, and acts like King Khan, Black Lips, Jeff the Brotherhood and even locals like The Dig Angees/La Strange/Holy White Hounds and The White Elephant, you could almost argue that this is what rock and roll sounds like now, too. The Schwick Brothers, Gary and Ted, have created a sound that is both contemporary and classic, vibrant and vintage, prime and primitive. But mostly it is just awesome. Really, really awesome.

Without getting too much further into a semantic genre debate about what constitutes what, EGSGTS is just really good, regardless of how you want to pigeon-hole it. The guitar is filthy and the drums are tight.  The vocals come through in a mostly fuzzy way to give it an extra low-fi, garage aesthetic that makes the album pop. This is one that deserves a vinyl release as well, as the extra cracks and pops would do wonders. As is, I listened to it on old speakers, and that almost added to the whole package.

The tracks are all fairly similar, which can make it hard to find a standout single, I suppose.  But sometimes an album full of singles and radio ready songs can be a good thing. If I could single out a few that caught me a little bit more than others, though,, I suppose there are four. I really liked the super bluesy “This Is Where The Road Leads”. The blues riff and the primal screams give the track a little something special. I also really liked the first track “Could You Turn My Lights On”, but it might be because it was the first song I heard and sometimes you love your first child the most, even if you won’t admit it. “Gimme Moe” seems to be just a little meaner than all the rest, which gives it a nice edge. Oh, and track two “Come Clean” has a kick-ass harmonica solo, so that rules.

For those who like old rock music and new rock music, you will like Viva Montesa. For those who like music, you will like Viva Montesa. Go, listen and like.

Try Not To Miss Shows – 9/13 – 9/19

North of Grand Album Release Party – 9/14 Gas Lamp 9pm

The legendary Des Moines punk rock band is throwing a party to celebrate the release of their sixth album. Get to this one and buy the album. If history holds true, this one will be incredible.

Cloud Nothings – 9/15 M-Shop 9pm

One of my favorite rock/punk bands in the world play the super cozy M-Shop in Ames. Get to this.

Floor Spiders Crew 10^th Anniversary Show – 9/16 Vaudeville Mews 5:30pm

This is a cool show celebrating one of Des Moines oldest and most respected b-boy/break dancing crew.  There should be lots of awesome dance performances as well as awesome music from Gadema and Daggers and Aeon Grey among others.

MuteMath w/ Civil Twilight and MINT – 9/18 Wooly’s 6:30pm

One of two shows featuring talented national act. MuteMath and Civil Twilight are Des Moines regulars, but are amazing. Also, Mint is a great local act. Not to be missed. Unless you go to…

Silversun Pickups w/ School of Seven Bells and Atlas Genius – 9/18 Hoyt Sherman Place 8pm

Des Moines is such a happening place that we get two shows of this level on the same night. All three are incredible, with Atlas Genius sure to be a breakout band in the next few months or so.