XXXVII Records
Part snotty pop punk, part contemplative indie rock, and part neo-New Wave, The Veltexans’ Everything’s the MatterM is a modern rock deejay’s dream come true. But aside from their laundry list of successful contemporary sound-alikes (We Are Scientists, Kaiser Chiefs, and The Walkmen all come to mind), these gentlemen truly know how to rock. Standout tracks like “Hats Off to (Chad) Harper” and “Brand-Name Pills” combine crashing guitar and cymbals with snarly, tongue-in-cheek lyrics that spews forth from lead vocalist Zach Turner in true pissed-off punk fashion. Meanwhile, the shoegazing sounds of slowed-down tracks like “For All Exploding Hearts” and “In a Wheel” create just enough of a juxtaposition to the band’s hard hitters to keep things interesting. And with a solid live show to back up this slickly mixed debut, there’s little doubt The Veltexans will go unnoticed by the major labels for long.