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If you’re not one for meandering art galleries on Sunday afternoons due to the slow, philosophical, sometimes stuffy nature of it, yet you’re searching for the artistic, energetic, musical equivalent, look no further. The answer comes in a tight, emo-indie-punk-rock, four-song EP called Quentin in My Vitamins by the one and only Seattle, Washington-based Deer Park.
The opening track “Me Against The World” is a collage of sounds. Pieces from different puzzles mashed together into a smooth, upbeat, modern-day coming-of-age anthem. Clear vocals offset bursts of grungy guitar riffs giving it a Beastie Boys meets Scott Pilgrim vs. The World feel. As the first piece you’d see in the art gallery, it would be interesting and different enough to lure you in to view the rest of the works.
“Coffee,” the following track, is less collage, more quirky lyrics set to a mellow backbeat/guitar combo, showing us a new, more intimate side of Deer Park. The sound of “Coffee” has more of an indie folk-rock, Band of Horses feel, acting as a catchy yet easy transition.
“You Taught Me to Be a Machine” continues the quirky-lyrics-over-indie-rock theme. The song also acts as a buildup to the final song. It has the right amount of hooks so when you know the end is coming you’re already contemplating listening to the whole thing again.
And finally, “Rocket Scientist” brings us back to where the album began, with a collage-like format, jumping from emotional verses to soulful guitar solos. Musically it’s the most catchy on the album, with an almost Black Keys-like chord progression. The energy of the song makes up for the slower pace of the middle two, leaving you with the thought of, “Wow, this would be really good live, I wonder if they’re playing anytime soon.”
The album can be enjoyed while making coffee and simultaneously head-banging, as well as when going for a morning jog to the bus stop where you’ll no doubt have it on replay all the way to your final destination— perhaps an art gallery?
(Quentin in My Vitamins is available on Bandcamp via a pay-what-you-want model here. You can also catch the band when they open the free Big Ass Boombox in Seattle on January 8th. Find out more details here.)
