EP Review: VCR – Sunny Days Inside

Out of Sudbury, Ontario, come ‘certified basement goons’ VCR with their debut EP ‘Sunny Days Inside‘. “There isn’t a crazy amount to say, as far as a bio,” ponders guitarist Joel Genier, “We’re just 4 dudes who love getting together and ruining the quiet in our neighborhood.”  The guys bought their ruckus to Sudbury’s own Deadpan Studios (who have such a pleasingly aesthetic Instagram, by the way) back last summer to cut their tracks over just a couple of days – their loose and organic feel being captured in its inherent state over 5 tracks.

The first of which is previous single ‘Move Through Me‘. Straight from the “1,2, 3,4 !” count off, its into dynamic, fuzz-punk territory. Lead by a driving bass line (sick tone) and James Quenville‘s raspy yelp, everything comes incessantly -“kickstarted to a hundred..” indeed. The darker-toned ‘Way She Goes‘ follows; all rumbling bass from Tony Ieropoli and stabs of guitar adding flavour. The choral “woah-oh-oh” s are charmingly contagious. “I lose track of all the times it’s one step forward and two steps back..” cries Quenville, and the band step it up a gear with a neat tempo change. ‘Ivory Asphalt‘ marries Dylan Baron‘s marching beat and a nursery rhyme cadence. Genier prods and pokes away at a cyclical guitar refrain in the background. It seems to be an anti-love letter to the Ontario climate – “I work in the morning and just want to get home..” Slacker themed ‘SLUMP’ is carried along with warped catchiness – Quenville again stretching his vocal chords to breaking point: “Running out of ways / to waste away my days..” it chimes. Latest single ‘Bless Yer Heart‘ closes out the EP. It’s a splendid slab of alt.rock – nothing intricate or complex, just a warm, welcome chord progression and a catchy-as-fuck chorus. Irresistible.

A fine debut – bless their little hearts.

Like good vibe, raggedy-edged rock outs? ‘Sunny Days Inside’ is available through Bandcamp, and streaming services. VCR also has Facebook and Instagram pages to follow.