Two Cents Plus Tax

This is one of the best indie rock bands, and this is one of their best albums - good writing, good performance, & good production. There's a cool hidden track too, but I can't rewind the disc into it on my car stereo.

The more music gets complicated, the more comforting it is to have a band like Versus cranking out honest to goodness guitar pop. There's something liberating in hearing the rumbling basslines and crackle of static from the amps on the newest collection of songs. In something of a contrast to the brightness of the sound, the songs are lyrically dark and moody but deceptively so. The dark content of "Morning Glory" is balanced with sweet alternating verses that play off the tension building guitars and a tinkling piano at the end.The twin vocals of Richard Baluyut and Fontaine Toups are still a force to be reckoned with and "Underground" lets the two intertwine with great results. Far from one trick-kids, there's a semi-country twang to "Spastic Reaction" and a few electronic beats in with the strums of "Jack and Jill." Versus can also toss all the frills out the window and rock out with the furious "Atomic Kid." These guys see the future, and even if they don't like what they see - they make it sound cool.

Just when you think you own one of the best albums of all time, Versus simply releases another one. Real magnificent stuff here, with higher production values than previous releases that adds a slickness but in no way reduces vitality. "Atomic Kid" is a blistering pop rocker that kicks off the disc. "Never Be OK" is a Fontaine Toups manifesto that rivals her side-work with Containe. The piano line on "Morning Glory" is a first for the band and a good indication of their willingness to evolve. The almost c/w twang of "Spastic Reaction" is a case in point. But "Crazymaker (Still in Love with Your Eyes)" provides classic Versus in the best way they know how. Vocal harmonies continue to astound and improve along with the deft instrumentation indicative of the comfort level that years of playing together provides. A special disc from a very special band.

This is simultaneously Versus' attempt to crack the big time *and* their best written, most consistent full-length record-which probably makes some indie fans uncomfortable, but shouldn't. Yes, the guitars go for twin-axe wall of sound volume over indie jangle, odd tunings and feedback freakouts, but when the result is as exhilarating as "Atomic Kid" you can't take exception. The lyrics on this record are the best ones they ever wrote, hands down-about Cold War nostalgics ("Atomic Kid"), ageing party animals ("Dumb Fun"), small town indie gurus ("Underground") and love gone jarringly wrong. Richard and Fontaine's harmonies are at their peak, whether channeling Neil Young and Nicolette Larson in "Crazymaker", or brilliantly singing across each other like Eno and Cale's Wrong Way Up experiments in "Morning Glory", which also highlights their ability to shift dynamics. Instead of the old post-grunge thing of simply using quiet verses to highlight loud choruses, they show that they know that sometimes the comedown is the most affecting part, just like in the broken relationships they sing about. Fontaine also shows an interesting New Order influence on the record, not so much in sound but in how she conceals unsettling adult emotions in apparently simplistic sing-song lyrics (and an enunciated, halting vocal style reminiscent of Barney Sumner). I own and love all the Versus albums and EPs but this is the one I listen to most.

Versus continue to astound me with song after song of simply breathtaking music: "Dumb Fun" and "Morning Glory," in particular, make me want to quit my job and learn how to play my guitar.I strongly encourage anyone and everyone to buy this (and every other Versus) album; if you don't find yourself addicted within a week, seek medical treatment.One last recommendation: Never miss a chance to see Versus live!

I really like this album. It has a good beat and you can dance to it too. More importantly, Versus always let's me drink their beer backstage with them when they used to play in Chicago. Makes me feel so humbled to be in the presence of Indie rock gods. Sometimes they'd even give me a free tshirt, yo. Booyashaka! GO VERSUS, GO ROCK AND ROLL!