Artist: Velvet Condom
Title: Vanity and Revolt
Genre: Electro / Techno
Release Date: 3rd June 2013
Label: Rustblade
Review Flash
Sidestepping the various connotation of the dubious moniker – it’s difficult to take seriously, but isn’t actually funny either – VC have managed to rack up an impressive number of shows, including some high-profile support slots, while releasing an EP and two long players. Impressive work, but isn’t a “best of” compilation a little premature? Packing 19 tracks of the duo’s trademark “robot-pop songs” and glacial “dead mannequin pop”, ‘Vanity and Revolt’ is a substantial document of their work to date. It certainly has its moments: At times, though, the art/trash disposable postmodern pastiche all feels like too much of an affection, knowingly too cool for school and a celebration of style over substance. What’s more, the non-chronological sequencing of the tracks doesn’t give any kind of narrative of their musical and stylistic development over their career to date. Still, it does give a good flavour of their work, and by way of an introduction, it’s hard to fault.
Conclusion: A comprehensive introduction to the art/trash disposable postmodern pastiche of the dubiously-named VELVET CONDOM, but it’s arguably a little too comprehensive.
Rating: 6 / 10
