viagr aboys
Viagra Boys
Sebastian Murphy can make an ordinary problem sound deeply strange. On viagr aboys, a trip to the vet or a concern about health can turn into a ridiculous story with something uncomfortably recognisable underneath it. Viagra Boys give those stories strong grooves and enough noise to keep them moving.
Man Made of Meat is an excellent place to start. The bass and guitar create a firm rhythm while Murphy moves between complaint, confession and obvious nonsense. It is funny, but the song also catches the feeling of being overwhelmed by ordinary modern life. The band make that combination seem natural.
The Bog Body takes the storytelling further into the absurd. The music keeps a steady physical pull, which is important when the words are wandering this far from ordinary conversation. Murphy sounds completely committed to the scene he is describing. The rest of the band seem happy to encourage him.
Uno II starts from a smaller situation and finds another route into a bigger concern. That is where this album works best: the observation remains clear enough that the strange details have something to attach themselves to. Pyramid of Health has an appealingly lazy feel while taking aim at the promises of wellness culture. It is a different pace, and a useful one.
The dance side is strong throughout. Dirty Boyz and You N33d Me have tight rhythms that make the music work even before you have followed every line. The bass is particularly effective at giving these songs a clear shape amid the extra noise.
There are quieter feelings too. Medicine for Horses has a more reflective tone, and the closing River King leaves the record in a less certain mood. Those moments make Murphy seem more human without requiring him to abandon the character entirely.
A few ideas are less surprising than on the band's earlier work, but the songwriting holds together well. viagr aboys is smart enough to understand its subjects and foolish enough to make them entertaining. More importantly, the songs have enough movement and melody to survive beyond the first laugh.
