The Violet Burning

Item: The Violet Burning Demonstrates Plastic and Elastic
Author: Keith Giles

The Violet Burning Demonstrates Plastic and Elastic

Reviewed by Keith Giles

Discogs Bandcamp

Label independentThe Phantom Tollbooth1999

alternative rock gothic rock indie rock shoegaze

If you own this disc, you already know how epic it is. If you don't, then you're probably curious about what Mike Pritzl has cooked up for his fourth Violet Burning extravaganza. After all, Mr. Pritzl is one of those rare geniuses who seems able to reinvent himself and his music with every collection of songs he releases, and yet somehow maintain his energy and passion like a perpetual rock-and-roll supernova.

Demonstrates Plastic and Elastic differs most obviously from past albums by being a self-released project with basically all-new members and a whole new sound. The brooding, chain-smoking guitar work of Andy Prickett is gone now, replaced with the glitter-pop fretwork of new guitarist Robby Farr. Pritzl's voice still holds the band together, though, as he slips from dreamy falsetto to deep baritone growls.

Overall, this is a very upbeat set of songs from the Violets. It's closer to the now out-of-print classic Chosen than it is to the last two from the band. Songs like "Berlin Kitty" and "Moon Radio" are nearer to ear-candy pop rock than the dark, smoldering feedback-laden explosions of their self-titled masterpiece from three years ago. This departure from the dark to the light is not a bad move by any stretch of the imagination, but it does require some adjustment. Even if it's not the direction fans may have hoped for, you can't help singing along to lines like "Superman is waiting at your window, you've got Marlon Brando knocking at your door..." ("I'm No Superman"). Lyrically, the Violets walk the edge between references to things spiritual (but not necessarily Christian) and things emotional (which could refer to God, or to a girlfriend). But basically, if you weren't offended by the self-titled release which came before this one, you won't be too shocked or disappointed by the (lack of) references to God contained on this project.

So far, Pritzl has yet to disappoint his fans in whatever incarnation the Violets seem to take. He seems destined with each new release to get closer and closer to perfection. Here's hoping that the next release continues the progression.

The CD is currently only available directly from the band at their official website located at www.violetburning.com. Like most CDs released in 1998, the best rock and roll is still independent.

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