The Vultures - Chingus

A lot of albums really don't give you a good idea of what a band is like in a live setting, they're usually much more subdued and there's a lot more focus on tiny elements rather than capturing the excitement and energy of a live show. Not on this album. The Vultures somehow managed to capture all of the action that you would get on a live show and record it into their new album Chingus. They're the tightest trio I've heard in a long time, and each song is so polished it's gleaming.

When you first put it on, it's like a train coming at you full speed. After the dust settles and the needle is slowly circling that inner ring, you feel like you need a neck brace. It's brutal, angsty and aggressive rock with killer instrumentation and vocals. Everything on Side A is intense and nonstop. Side B is a bit more subdued and surfy, but there's nothing wrong with that. This album sounds like a skating accident - raw, bloody and full of grit.

Go to Safety Meeting and pick this up right away.