Looking back to 2008, the first VW
album was really a 'Best of' collection. Way before these Ivy Leaguers
started playing on late night TV, blog aggregators were snorting up
VW mp3s like nose candy. In fact, an earlier iteration of ISR called
Indie Soup Modern Rock, played "Oxford Comma" way before these
Afro-pop boys made it big.
But VW's latest album, Contra, does
not suffer from the sophomore slump and indeed, lives up to the hype.
The songscape is equally diverse as its predecessor. If you're looking
for "A-Punk's" nearest relative you'll find it in the cliff-jumping
spasmodic rhythms of "Cousins". Or, if you're seeking the
expansiveness and world sound of "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"
then "Run" is a good contender. My personal favorite is the
cheeseball ditty "Holiday". It's almost as if they were channeling
that "I Wish It Was Christmas" SNL skit with the cast of regulars (Fallon, Sanz, Morgan and Kattan) playing
on stage that schlocky melody, with their puny instruments.The songs mesh well and as for your
workouts, there is plenty to go round:
Workout Legend
LT = Low tempo workout
MT = Mid tempo workout
HT = Up tempo workout
S = Skip for your workouts
* = ISR faves
"Cousins" - HT* (Check out ISR's FunkaDellaDango mix for this mix opener!)
"Run" - MT
"Diplomat's Son" - MT
"Holiday" - HT*
"Giving Up The Gun" - MT
"White Sky" - MT
