On the Record with Abe Vigoda

By Aiden Landman
Published: February 27th, 2009 | 8:15am

With 2009's Reviver (PPM), Abe Vigoda appears to be a band in transition. Eschewing its lo-fi, art-punk tendencies and jagged, disjointed song structures for a more premeditated, methodical songwriting leaves the band navigating the waters of a sea change.

Reviver, the Chino, California, band's fourth release, is a five-song EP that moves the quartet away from the tropical punk showcased on 2008's Skeleton and toward a more accessible and friendly direction.

Recently, band members Juan Velazquez, Michael Vidal, David Reichardt, and Dane Chadwick spoke to Venus Zine and let us know what tunes keep them going on the road.

This Mortal Coil
“Kangaroo” It'll End in Tears (4AD)

This song is just about the coolest thing I’ve ever heard. From the glory days of 4AD, glistening, hazy and spare. The cello arrangement in the middle could make you cry if you let it. Perfect Vocals. Big Star did it first. But was it goth?

Telepathe
“In Your Line” Dance Mother (IAMSOUND)

This is my favorite song of Telepathe's new record. Busy and Melissa are perfecting beautiful and relevant pop music. I heard it every night for a month while on tour with them and was always transfixed. The song floats around these two guitar chords, and this grimy drum circle. The lyrics are so good. They flow out like this mantra. When these really awesome background vocals just drop in, it sounds so right.

The Go-Betweens
“Part Company” Spring Hill Fair (Sire Records)

This band is weird: Sophisticated pop troubadours from Australia in 1984 singing really endearing and honest songs that I can’t stop listening to. The singer, Robert Forster, sounds like he is pissed, sad, and nostalgic, all at the same time. The instrumentation really brings the Smiths to mind, but his lyrics and dictation make it stand out. Why is that keyboard so high-pitched?

Arthur Russell
“Keeping Up” The World of Arthur Russell (Soul Jazz Records)

I imagine Arthur Russell blazing on the cello for all eternity in white heaven. Such a genius. There is so much movement in this song. It is a rapid and pulsating freak out, hushed and contained. This woman sings along with Arthur and their two voices together are harrowing and enigmatic. It’s about love and a struggle, but it feels optimistic. A great running song.

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Abe Vigoda MySpace.

Abe Vigoda's new EP Reviver is available on iTunes.