Vending Machine - Marriage Made In Heaven
What intrigues me most about Vending Machine's "Kicked and Scratched" is the fact that it satisfies not only diverse tastes, but varying moods as well.
This, the self-produced second LP from ex-Big Ass Truck frontman and current Mouserocket-eer Robby Grant not only fuses the right amounts of rock, folk, soul, funk and a little bit of electro, but taps into so many influences ("Marriage Made in Heaven," at least to me, is a marriage between Wilco and Pavement and you just can't go wrong with that) it's impossible to dislike this record.
I've drafted this review a million times, and it's taken almost three months (despite constant inquiries of "Man, when you gonna review that Vending Machine disc?") to say this: Nothing I can say could possibly do the sheer eclecticism, talent and introspection of this album any justice. Download the track posted above. Download "Hung and Screamed." Then buy the album (hometown kids: hit Shangri-La or Goner) and go see VM at the Deli on March 18.
Because, you know, if it renders me speechless, it must be good.
Epilogue, by Brian Analog:
"Crickets" is the epitome of what 21st century pop music should sound like.
With "Kicked..." Robby once again proves himself as one of Memphis' great unsung songwriters.
Also check "When Will I See You Again" (which you'll have to buy the album to hear; we're not going to upload the whole thing) to hear the best local soul song not written by Candace Ivory or Greg Cartwright in the last few years.
Afterword, by Jen:
Five Piece Kit (the first VM LP) is amazing as well. It's available for preview AND PURCHASE on iTunes.
This, the self-produced second LP from ex-Big Ass Truck frontman and current Mouserocket-eer Robby Grant not only fuses the right amounts of rock, folk, soul, funk and a little bit of electro, but taps into so many influences ("Marriage Made in Heaven," at least to me, is a marriage between Wilco and Pavement and you just can't go wrong with that) it's impossible to dislike this record.
I've drafted this review a million times, and it's taken almost three months (despite constant inquiries of "Man, when you gonna review that Vending Machine disc?") to say this: Nothing I can say could possibly do the sheer eclecticism, talent and introspection of this album any justice. Download the track posted above. Download "Hung and Screamed." Then buy the album (hometown kids: hit Shangri-La or Goner) and go see VM at the Deli on March 18.
Because, you know, if it renders me speechless, it must be good.
Epilogue, by Brian Analog:
"Crickets" is the epitome of what 21st century pop music should sound like.
With "Kicked..." Robby once again proves himself as one of Memphis' great unsung songwriters.
Also check "When Will I See You Again" (which you'll have to buy the album to hear; we're not going to upload the whole thing) to hear the best local soul song not written by Candace Ivory or Greg Cartwright in the last few years.
Afterword, by Jen:
Five Piece Kit (the first VM LP) is amazing as well. It's available for preview AND PURCHASE on iTunes.
