Music for Medication Commercials by Violent Violet – Blends Surf and Garage, a Sense of Freedom with Grit
Violent Violet, a three-piece from Athens, Georgia, aims to turn up those shitty commercials pushing legalized narcotics. To do this, they offer their unique blend of surf and garage rock with their latest release, Music for Medication Commercials. This album holds a powerful experience, evoking a sense of rebellious liberation, showcasing the best of both their genres of choice (garage and surf) offering a compelling package worthy of your ears.
Like most beginnings, “Intro,” serves as a declaration of sorts. Soft and slow, a proclamation towards someone who as they put it “found somebody else to crucify.” The message slowly subdues after the kick it up with a Ramones’ style “1, 2, 3, 4!” to begin the second tune, “Junk.” This vile track probably perked the ears of William Burroughs from his grave and the same with the following track, “Bones.” Both serve as fine appetizers to their sound. You can’t ignore the distorted guitar or the vocals, yet underneath like the creature from Black Lagoon – looming and subtle – are the bass and drums. Power that moves you, almost hypnotizing you, feeding your mind, and forcing your body to groove.
“Sticky” certainly brings out the surf in their sound, you can definitely hear the twang. “The Final Destination” also has its own blend of surf, yet seems to mix the garage rock a bit better. Ending the tune with the singer going “Lalalalala” until the end and gets my heart going every time. And overall, it truly blurs the line between surf rock and garage rock well – this sense of freedom with grit.
“Watching” comes in slow with a nasty bass riff, and shows a creepy side. The whole concept of “watching” will always bring out that side, yet there is something more to this as if they are pointing the finger at all of us, as we are all “watching TV/staring at the sun.” Quite possibly a social commentary on how we all are moving towards the creepy, skin-crawling machines in need of a firm wake-up call.
They once again turn it up with “Hate Me,” their raw aggression with this one is definitely something I can respect, and quite possibly my favorite tune on the album. Followed by the closer (if you don’t include the bonus track “Candy Bar”) “Low Tide.” Another smooth and hard track that puts you on the edge until the bitter end, once the music stops there is this sense of relief, a perfect ending to this onslaught of glorious surf/garage rock mixed with a personal touch.
Find it for yourself on Bandcamp at – violentvioletathens.bandcamp.com, “Follow” them on Instagram. And lalalalalalalalala.
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