The sound and style of Hello Vertigo is late to emerge onto the rock/alternative music scene. The listener may find it difficult to discern in their music a distinct style when compared to the dozens of other new bands that have released albums in 1998-99. As songs from Papa Vegas’ new release flow into one another, a cursory listen makes it all seem tiresomely generic.
In its favor, Papa Vegas has an excellent blend in all aspects within their songs. Unlike many other bands whose sounds sometimes lend no distinction in relation to one another, Pete Dunning’s liquid guitar meshes with lead singer/songwriter Joel Ferguson’s poignantly appealing voice. Drums and bass are no less important, and carry songs such as “Something Wrong” and “Sermon Underground”. The pivotal track on the disc is “Beautiful Animal”. It is here that the band seems to break away from their stylized, British invasion-like sound and into something all their own. If the all of tracks were comparable to “Beautiful Animal”, this album would be a much better listen.
The lyrics are surprisingly interesting and diverse, while at the same time ethereal and ambiguous. This is best exhibited on the last track, “Resolve”. Ferguson seems to be writing his lyrics to some unseen and ubiquitous personage that is never quite defined. This concept is definitely worth some attention.
All in all, the album is definitely not bad, just boring. Rhythms are highly structured and frame all of the songs, thus limiting them. The band is talented and perhaps needs time to mature and refine their style rather than simply riding the alternative wave of the 90’s.
+ Sara Bennett
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