VALDOSTA —
By Dean Poling
The Valdosta Daily Times
II: Dot Dot Dot
The Chicago-based band Dot Dot Dot makes no apologies for being pop. The band digs deeper into those pop sounds with this latest five-song EP, “II,” released earlier this month. At the time of the band’s Remerton performance this past March, the group had a more edgy pop sound, but “II” takes this boy-girl band deep into high-energy pop reminiscent of some of the better ’80s radio/MTV hits — breathy vocals on top of uptempo kaleidoscopes of rhythm backed by anthemic choruses. Still, in today’s market, Dot Dot Dot’s whiff of retro is a breath of fresh air. In a past interview with The Valdosta Daily Times, Dot Dot Dot members Little Lisa and Rose said the band plays a mix of original tunes with covers in concerts. For fans of solid dance pop, Dot Dot Dot’s II is one more reason why the band may soon have nothing but requests for its original music.
BIOPHILIA: The Vinson Valega Group
For a moment, drummer/composer Vinson Valega’s “Biophilia” tumbles into the discordant jazz riffs that sound like a hundred-and-one other instrumental combos splayed across a thousand smoky nights. The Vinson Valega Group hits that slap-dash traffic jam of improvisational, off-tune, backbeat chords that rush from far too many jazz groups hoping to be avant-garde originals but instead all sound like the same rambling cacophony. Just for a moment. Then Valega and his talented group pull all of those stray notes together into the beautiful melodies of Matthew Fries’ “I Knew You’d Say That” followed by a gorgeous rendition of Duke Ellington’s “Sunset and the Mockingbird.” Even when the group strives for more experimental improv, Valega varies his original compositions between grounded melodies and acrobatic riffs that complement one another without spiraling into a three-ring circus run amok. “Biophilia” is a jazz album that has everything a listener could want. Those 101 other instrumental combos should listen to Valega, listen and learn.
Local News
Music reviews: "II" and "Biophilia"
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