Vanity Crash
Rock N Roll Junkie (self-released)
One of the only bands on the local circuit that keeps the glam rock flame burning brightly, Vanity Crash has been going strong for a decade now, pumping out good, gritty records with regularity. Once the house band for a local production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the group plays up the theatrics on this fine EP. It's a much more accessible (and light-hearted) offering than last year's weighty Yours Justice, a concept album about a serial killer. Their cover of the Zombies' "She's Not There" comes complete with British accents and the punky "Happy Anniversary" has a Ramones-like charm to it. With its sneering vocals and "Never Coming Up" has a real psychedelic edge to it and the album closer "Restraints" is so heavy, it borders on stoner rock. The call-response vocals in the title track will really resonate when the band plays the tune live. Another solid effort from a veteran band.
Vanity Crash performs with Allison Bencar at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 10 at the Beachland Tavern.
