Chris Brokaw/Viva Las Vegas - split EP
(Kimchee)
Four songs, maybe twenty minutes total, and it’s a split. The extended play formula is one of the most maligned in all the giant kingdom of music, but this split EP has enough of a goodness vibe to keep me coming back for more.
Anyway, I am not overly familiar with these artists, but Acuarela released the fabulous Aroah EP earlier this year, so when I first got this I had high hopes. And they were met! Chris Brokaw (Come, Pullman) goes the way of Rex on this release, mixing heartfelt country-folk with meandering instrumental tastiness. Also, the first song, “Bricks”, features the staunch and recognizable drawl of Matt Kadane, Bedhead alumnus and now New Year homeboy. The second song is a lot like the first, except minus the vocals. So, that makes it… a meandering country inspired instrumental. Pretty sweet. The music, too, is much more joyful than any of the Bedhead stuff (just using it as a reference point, here, team), so I find myself liking Chris Brokaw.
On the other hand, Viva Las Vegas, much like their label mates Migala, suffer a little on their part of the disc. The first track is another free-flowing instrumental, but the second track, and the worst number on the entire disc, is, as my dawg Jim Steed describe Migala, Antonio Banderas sexy. Is that a good thing? Well, yeah, if you like breathy baritone vocals sung in Spanish. I don’t mind the Spanish part, but man, breathy baritone? No way! The instrumental, though; there is the love.
But the reason most EPs are maligned is because they only serve as a teaser to something coming up. Exceptions, there are many, which I’m not going to go into, but this isn’t one of them. Still, it’s worth it for the three awesome tracks on here. Check it out if you get the chance!
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