Rising like a computerized phoenix through digital ashes and announcing its arrival with an ominous squak, Videohippos begin their debut album Unbeast The Leash with “Toothsub,” a modestly grandiose-indie-bedroom-noise dancy little ditty that acts as a portent of things to come.
Videohippos are a duo from Baltimore; Kevin O’meare and Jim Triplett, who call their type of Rock and Roll “Happycore.” One would assume the Happycore tag is because of the fusion of hardcore insouciance with a giddy, foot-stomping, chewy caramel center. It often features bleeping keyboards, dance beats and the occasional Chipmunk helium-breathing vocal (that at times invokes more of a sinister Residents vibe than a smiley-happy one—but you get the drift).
Unbeast The Leash aims for a sound in the region of My Bloody Valentine and Stereolab’s strange cousin that’s been on Ritalin for a few too many years, watches too much television, possibly needs to take a shower and for some reason has that likable grin that makes it hard to make fun of him. These guys know how to layer a guitar line and the drums sound energetic and live, but the vocals are often buried just below the mix. This isn’t a new method, many people have ridden the low vocal train to glory but it does make it more challenging for this listener to grasp onto something, especially when the few wisps of coherence are so compelling; “Someone Had The Courage,” “Fall Down,” “Sleeping On The Bed.” What are they talking about? Tell me more. If the overall sound is any indication, something fun and dirty is going on like prom night in my head.
