Vivian Girls

Everything Goes Wrong

(In the Red)

Admittedly, I haven't yet heard Vivian Girls' fiery self-titled debut. But I'm making up for lost time by repeatedly spinning their followup, Everything Goes Wrong. Brooklyn chicks Cassie Ramone, Kickball Katy, and Ali Koehler kick out the jams with 13 echoey, low-fi tunes. The album cover introduces you to the sparse, dark mood of songs like "Survival," "Double Vision," and "Walking Alone at Night." It's like driving down a lonely desert road after a breakup. I could see how the album could grow tiresome. In true punk tradition, the songs are two-minute blasts that sound the same. (Ramones, Buzzcocks: I'm talkin' about you.) Still, the ghostly, dissonant harmonies on songs like “Tension” are something new. Now I'm compelled to get their first record.