By Vib Gyor
As the year comes to an end Vib Gyor can look back and smile. An ever growing international fan base, great reviews, spectacular live shows and even a mention in American magazine Entertainment Weekly and after listening to this latest collection of their work it suggests that 2005 is going to be even better.
"Fallen" carries the unique Vib Gyor sound, which mixes a floury of light and beautiful guitar notes with touching atmospherics. With a chorus to die for it takes all the highlights of the 1st EP and moves them a step further. A clear sign of the band's desire to push things forward, to test themselves and their fans. Hidden inside there is a hint of Radiohead, a touch of Mogwai, a smidgen of Sigur Rós and by the time the song breaks down into a post-rock extravaganza a slice of Godspeed! You Black Emperor has been thrown into the mix. Exciting, moving and truly inspirational.
"The Secret" is a true rock out, lead by a dark and sinister bass line. But while the song initially comes as a surprise with its aggressive and frenzied pace it seems such a logical option that the band take. As natural as Radiohead moving between Karma Police and Paranoid Android.
The calm after the storm comes in the form of "Church Bell". Dave Fendick's almost heavenly vocals soar over rich and tender piano playing which creates a vast and chilling mood where the true attraction lies in the gaps between playing. But again it is in those vocals where Vib Gyor's advantage lies. While some bands may come close to replicating the phenomenal songs they will always struggle to match the rare vocal gift which this band have in their arsenal. Flickering between the likes of Buckley, Yorke and Bellamy the lead vocals are astounding as they are engaging.
"Always Alone" sees violins being brought into the mix and leads into the spine tingling chorus of "you're always alone". Made ever more effective by the bands own excellent production skills, which add a warmth and depth to their music that many "signed" artists lack.
Final track "Long Way Down" forms a magical soundscape, conjuring up cold and snowy mountains somewhere in Iceland and if you look carefully enough you may be able to make out Sigur Rós.
I think they are waving.
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On 28th December 2004 at 14:23 Dave LMS wrote...
Looking at their site I think this promotional CD is a 50/50 mix of THE STALKER EP and EP 3. Is that right? All tracks look available for free download too, and sound rather ace! Just listening to Always Alone now. Splendid imho 
On 28th December 2004 at 15:00 Anonymous 1944 wrote...
That's right. I think they will be playing a lot of the new stuff at the tea time shuffle on 7th Jan at the Hi-Fi Club. Should be good
On 28th December 2004 at 15:44 Anonymous 882 wrote...
oi! it's me who makes references to iceland- it's copyright!!
On 10th January 2005 at 16:57 Anonymous 2538 wrote...
Both EP3 and The Stalker EPs are very good indeed, however, have any other fellow train spotters noticed the remarkable similarity between the chorus of The Secret and Samsa's Sweet Disease? Should be an interesting blend when the two play together on Friday. I for one am very much looking forward to it as they are two great bands. Also I hear Lisa Brown are good too. Don't know anything about the fourth band though.
On 11th January 2005 at 13:34 Anonymous 841 wrote...
"have any other fellow train spotters noticed the remarkable similarity between the chorus of The Secret and Samsa's Sweet Disease?"
Jesus!! That's fucking freaky! Hope it's just a happy coincidence. a HELL of a coincidence! Both bands are ace and have got plenty of other tunes, so it dunt matter.
On 11th January 2005 at 14:12 Anonymous 2538 wrote...
I agree. Both bands are ace, as will be Friday.
On 11th January 2005 at 16:16 Anonymous 3193 wrote...
I think Jackson Palmer are playing on Friday (the 3rd band not mentioned). They've got some good material from what I've listened to. Should be a good way to start the year off methinks!
On 11th January 2005 at 17:26 Anonymous 2538 wrote...
IF you're only just kicking your year off where have you been?! See the delights that you've missed already!
On 12th January 2005 at 08:50 Anonymous 3193 wrote...
ahha mr Loqui! I've been out of the country until earlier this week, so there's me excuse.
On 1st March 2005 at 16:28 Anonymous 1944 wrote...
This cd has now been living in my cd player for over 2 months now. I love it dearly and often hug it
