Hailing from Tacoma, the Variety Hour joins the dots between American indie-pop and gauzy British rock. Their first, newly minted EP features overdriven and curious arrangements providing the backdrop for pop vocal melodies devilishly corrupted with forlorn lyrical themes. The band consists of Robert Lomax on drums, Ryan Dustan on bass and Rob Olsen on guitar and vocals. Olsen’s double threat makes him an important asset to The Variety Hour. Each of the six songs on this album features a great guitar solo.
“Weightless” features a guitar solo at the end that pulls the song up from a slow beginning. The big, chewy bass and guitar lines atop rollicking beats support the escapist lyrical theme but also make the song a little dull. This song takes a bit to take off but by the end it is soaring to musical heights.
“Na Na Na,” with its reminiscent vibe, is perhaps the standout track on the album. Listeners who like “Na Na Na” should try out “The Shrink.” It has the same catchy feel with a twist of indie rock. This song will easily have you singing along to it the first time you hear it.
“Figurine” is the moodiest track on the album. It cycles through eerie, escalating passages that take the listener through an adventure of the grungy indie pop world.
“Strange” is an upbeat, grungy song. For fans of the Rolling Stones, the typical British sound for the Variety Hour will be a hit. The title “Strange” suits this song very well. A bizarre garage band sound is exalted from this track.
“Look Out Below” could be said to be a softer rock track for the Variety Hour. With a solid rock base the emotional lyrics over the top flow smoothly along. Olsen forewarns of a pending disaster amidst a love story. “Look Out Below” is a song with a message of disastrous love.
Fans of The Shins’ ecentro-pop, the straightforward and timeless sass of Cheap Trick, and moody, revved British bands like Catherine Wheel and Swervedriver will find a comfortable home with the Variety Hour.
The Variety Hour plays a CD release show on Jan. 22 at The New Frontier in Tacoma. Meet the band and be one of the first to pick up their brand new CD.
Reviewed by Erica Cooley
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