The Veils – Nux Vomica

Review by Chris Wood

Yep…Still not entirely sure how to pronounce this album title. But that doesn’t really matter though does it? In the times of MSTRKRFT and that dick from 1200 Techniques, N-FA, I consider anything that’s vaguely pronounceable or has a fairly even vowel to consonant ratio a blessing. 

My first impressions of London based kiwi 5-piece, The Veils, was one of disdain. Looking at the image of front man Finn Andrews, decked out in black, cigarette in hand on the cover of this outfits sophomore release made me think this guy had just won a Pete Dougherty look-a-like contest at the Kildargen county fair. Yet, as always seems to happen, the album far surpassed my expectations.

Although I haven’t heard any of The Veils back catalogue, I think I can honestly say that "Nux Vomica" hasn’t suffered from the dreaded ‘second album curse’! (that is assuming of course that they didn’t write the absolutely, beyond all doubt, the best debut album of all time. This theory would then raise questions as to why I hadn't heard of these guys until recently - hence, thusly and therefore - I have since decided to accept that this album is better than their first, case closed...Book'em Danno). 

They have apparently taken on a much more emotive and genuine tone, with a highly anticipated album that’s not afraid to wear its influences on it’s sleeves. Such discernable influences include Joy Division, Nick Cave, The Smiths, and Ken Stringfellow; lacquered with a bit of Johnny Cash and Jack White, raucous, stick-your-middle-digit-up-at-the-camera, country tinge that pervades the record from start to finish.

Opening track, Not Yet, is possibly the best track on the album. This track doesn’t mess around long-winded intros, Andrews opting to sing the chilling opening lyrics Heartbreak Hotel style. From then on, the song gathers momentum (and possibly lose control) in what can only be described as a blistering introduction to a record with only a few more moments of such mania. The next Hugh Grant English romantic comedy soundtrack potential Advice For Young Mothers To Be is the first single of the album. The I – vi – ii – IV – V- I progression dwindles along with such pop-finesse, that it’s sure to feature in your shower material for the week after you first hear it. Title track Nux Vomica subtly whisks along in anticipation of the thunderous organ crashes of the chorus. 

In a similar vein of the obvious influence of Nick Cave’s 15 Feet of Pure White Snow, this song, although not departing from the same bumbling chords, manages to hook you in with its manic eruptions of undeniable musical brilliance. 

One Night On Earth has the potential to follow in the footsteps of Interpol’s commercial success Evil with its dreamy romantic space-cruise melody. The Placebo-esque lyrics layer the track with a heavily loaded sense of poise and direction. It almost sounds as though they have combined all the best alternate pop-songs of the past 10- years and shoved them all in to one. I’m thinking (and now hoping to maintain some sort of credibility) that they’ll release this as their next single.

After this album, there is a lot for the Veils to live up to. Time will tell if they are capable of producing another album of such a quality standard. Here’s hoping that they don’t suffer from the seemingly obligatory criticism of non-originality that hounds most bands that gather some popularity. Despite enacting a number of comparisons upon listening to their work, it’s vital to note that their music still has its own distinctive sound. 

From what I’ve heard so far, they markedly improved on their first release with "Nux Vomica". It wasn’t until Radioheads "The Bends" and "OK Computer" that they showed the world what they were really capable of. I’m not comparing Radiohead and The Veils by any means, all I am saying is that sometimes it takes time and effort to establish a well adjusted sound and image. I mean, look at Silverchair. They found their own sound…eventually.

RATING: 4 out of 5