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The Van Gobots' First Foreshadows Good Things

The Van Gobots EP is a striptease of a truly bootylicious album to come.

The Van Gobots

The Van Gobots EP

Released on Sep 24, 2008

Writing a review for an EP is always a different experience.  It has to do, in part, with the fact that there are many more differences between an EP and an LP than just a few missing tracks.  Now I don’t want you to think that I’m some sort of expert in the field, because that simply isn’t the case, but I would like to share a few things before we delve into this bad boy.   

A full album is an entity; it has its own character, often a distinct sound, and some real body to it.  Whereas the modest EP more often than not seems like a sampler of sorts, used primarily to get the word out and get fans excited, a sort of inanimate hype-man if you will.  There are of course exceptions to this rule, and even EPs out there that are better than the bands other albums (see The Fall of Troy’s Phantom on the Horizon trouncing Manipulator).   

On to the more pressing matter, which is diagnosing this debut release from the Minneapolis rock and roll quartet, The Van Gobots.  This one was so hard to call because it was right on the dividing line; it isn’t lacking in the character department, nor does it lack a unique sound, and it is even echoically pleasing, so why not just take it all the way? 

“Speed and Fire,” the first track has an upbeat tempo and a moving bass line.  Mike Baker’s vocal style also caught my attention.  They sounded new and unique, but at the same time sounded so familiar.  I may never figure out exactly who his vocal style imitates, but at this point the best guess I can cast is to compare it to that of Matt Embree of Rx Bandits.  On the subject of Rx Bandits, in a weird way it seems almost fitting to label The Van Gobots as some sort of third-wave ska band who’ve abandoned their brass roots.  Their constant upbeat sonic barrage and happy sound is somewhat reminiscent of early Offspring.   

Skipping ahead, the track “Robert Frost” is perhaps the highlight of the album.  With its walking tempo and lighthearted vocals it would be a perfect song to check out for a first time listener.  I like the chanting too, incorporating Robert Frost poetry into your songs will always score double with me.   

“A Quart of Turpentine” is another song to check out.  With a plundering bass line and more aggressive delivery it’s another standout song of this EP.  I give props to bassist Matthew Kojetin for his contributions to this song.  His fingers don’t stop roaming for a second, and he holds his own during the funktastic instrumental break. 

“One Shot Down, Two Steps Back,” had a pleasant introduction but slowed down through the verses.  It worked on its own, but I didn’t feel like it really flowed with the rest of the EP.     

I liked this EP.  I really did.  I just don’t know what stopped them from going all the way and developing a great EP into an even more impressive album.  I sincerely look forward to the release of their full-length this summer; if this EP was any indicator then I would keep a look out for this band in the future.   

Posted by Andrew Scott on May 26, 2009 @ 6:00 am