At The Drive-In – Vaya EP CD Review
Cedric Bixler-Zavala & Texas Post-Hardcore Music Mini-Album CD
Aug 23, 2009
Released in 1999, Vaya is the fourth EP by Texas post-hardcore band At the Drive-In. Sandwiched between In/Casino/Out (1998) and Relationship of Command (2000), two explosive and successful albums, the Vaya EP is much more than just a stop-gap.
Both aggressive and melodic, and supplemented by the distinctive At the Drive-In lyrics and vocals of front-man Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Vaya is a worthy addition to both the At the Drive-In discography and the post-hardcore music genre itself.
Vaya CD Album – Post-Hardcore Music EP by Texas Band At The Drive-In
The second At the Drive-In CD released by Fearless Records, Vaya is a seven track EP which spans the gap between In/Casino/Out and the epic Relationship of Command. At just under 24 minutes long, with songs hovering around the three and a half minute mark, Vaya is an organic mix of high-energy aggression and melody.
At the Drive-In take a post-hardcore sound and structure, not dissimilar to that of Fugazi, and push the boundaries of the genre. With the introduction of both Latin and Lebanese rhythms, taken directly from the ethnic mix of the band members themselves, At the Drive-In continued to develop their unique sound with Vaya.
The Sound of At The Drive-In’s Vaya CD – Post-Hardcore Music
While the production quality of the Vaya CD is some way short of that found on Relationship of Command, the grittier ‘garage’ sound lends an extra level of tension and aggression to the album. “Rascuache”, the opening track, crawls along on top of a sinister bass line before being punctured by the chorus, symbols crashing as lead singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala forces himself to be heard above the energetic band.
“Proxima Centauri” is an aggressive slow/fast track with dirty production, distorted rhythm guitar pierced at times by a squealing lead, and the trademark pained and disgusted vocals of Bixler-Zavala. “Ursa Minor” is a more melodic track with a more upbeat vibe for much of the song despite the sinister lyrics.
Bass and guitar mesh together in “Heliotrope” with a rocket intro that slides into a lazy bass riff before exploding once again. The rasping and raking voice of Bixler-Zavala cranks up the aggression.
Metronome Arthritis – A Classic Post-Hardcore Music Track on the Vaya CD
“Metronome Arthritis” is a stand out track. Paranoid, sinister and aggressive, the lyrics compliment the overall tone of the music. A thumping bass riddled with strange and distorted effects pins the track down, with Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s pained vocals building up to the final questioning phrase, “What if forensics find the answers? What if they stole my fingerprints? Where did I leave my book of matches? We’ll find you….”
The next track is the most disappointing on Vaya, and the only candidate for the skip button. “300 Mhz” lacks the cohesion of other songs on the album, distorted vocals overlaying an uninspired riff before a slightly annoying middle section where Bixler-Zavala’s spoken lyrics are played backwards.
Thankfully, the final track is a classic. “198d” is full of raw emotion, a subtle song where aggression is substituted for solemnity in the verse, while soaring vocals power-up the chorus. It is a powerful end to the EP, and also one of the all-time classic At the Drive-In tracks.
Vaya Album, a Worthy Addition to the Post-Hardcore Music Genre and Great At The Drive-In CD
While Relationship of Command is a seamless album showcasing At the Drive-In at their very best, the Vaya EP should not be missed. It should not be thought of as a stop-gap between albums as so many EPs tend to be, but as a mini-album in its own right.
Hindered by one track and too short to be deemed an outright post-hardcore music classic, the Vaya EP is none-the-less a great CD which arguably features one or two of At the Drive-In’s best ever tracks – no mean feat in the repertoire of this classic and much missed band.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
