ALBUM REVIEW: TIMES NEW VIKING - DANCE EQUIRED

If one should use a single word to describe Times New Viking’s sound, then that word would most likely be “noisy”. They’ve always resembled a bunch of highschool kids recording in their parents’ garage and ready to kick everyone’s ass. And the interesting thing is that, underneath all that distortion and abrasion, almost every tune is basically an exuberant pop song.

Their new release, Dancer Equired, comes up with a notably cleaner sound. It’s like the same kids had finally entered in a professional studio. Some might say that it was about time for something to change, but it’s not like the band made radical modifications. They still seem to be the same folks that make music just for having fun, instead of bothering with questions about what others would like to hear from them.

However, the first impression is that Dancer Equired lacks the energy and sparkle of Rip It Off or Born Again Revisited. While this might make some of their fans consider they have lost their vibe (which is actually true, from a certain point of view), it will please the lazy listeners who previously had no patience to search for the hidden pop gems wrapped in the noise.

Unfortunately, there are few songs that actually deserve the label “pop gem”. It’s safe to mention here the opening track, It’s A Culture, which proves successfully that synth plus an awesome guitar solo equals love. Try Harder and Fuck Her Tears are other two tracks worth mentioning, especially the last one, with its powerful scent of their previous albums: crazy drums, infectious synths, shouted vocals, overall an energy overdose that makes you regret a bit their good old days.

Sure, Dancer Equired is a pleasant listening, but it leaves you with the feeling they could have done it so much better. It’s not bad at all, but it’s not their finest moment either and it even makes you wonder for a few moments if five albums in six years aren’t just a bit too much. Only time will tell.

~ Raluca Bicu