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Apr 28, 2011 Times New Viking By J. Pace

Here we have Times New Viking’s first journey into a proper recording studio. As arbiters of the shit-fi sound, they are sonically obligated to make it sound like, well, a decent four-track cassette recording. Still, it’ll be a marked improvement for many listeners, the lo- of their fi on previous outings being almost hilarious in its lo-ness.

So a jump in fidelity, but not enough to alienate the fans —you’ll still get your hiss, the charming tuning problems, the willfully obtuse to derail the directness. Anyway, who cares —great tunes can transcend fidelity, but fidelity can’t elevate shitty ones. And TNV usually have a handful of solid Flying Nun-flavored guitar burners at their disposal, along with enough attitude to drive them home.

You get some cozy and mellow numbers, such as the detached duet of “Ever Falling in Love” or the Vaselines-flavored pop of “No Room to Live.” Or better yet the ones when they crank it out, like on “Fuck Her Tears,” channeling The Clean perhaps. But you know… less clean.

Ultimately, the seasick anthem “Try Harder” could work as the manifesto for Dancer Equired, its title both recognizing the new (relative) sheen and extending a middle finger to those who require it. (www.timesnewviking.net)

Author rating: 6/10