Review Summary: Why don't you call me your baby anymore?
All teenagers reach an awkward point in their life when walking with your mom down the street is out of the question, but if she doesn’t buy you Oreos, then you’re screwed. One is mature enough to have a linear conversation, but still insists on being pampered on some levels. Velvet Crush sees this time in just the middle of the two ideas, mixing in experiences of lovesickness and impregnable insecurity (“I don’t wanna wait until forever to see you smile”) with the horrible feeling of losing your innocence (“So turn the page / Your innocence can’t be saved”). Somehow, the jump from the savoring of two-month breaks from school to closing your eyes and praying for “faster days” accurately describes the vibes the music on ‘Teenage Symphonies to God’ puts off.
Decorated with the labels of a “contemporary pop” album of the 60’s (which obsoletely labels the LP at “stereo”), this Rhode Island based power pop group assumes much contrast from their music to their sleeve art on the album -- actually, ‘Symphonies’ is about as young as the yuppie it depicts. It might’ve come out 1994, 2004, or 2014 and had the same impact. This is because it confronts the omniscient human condition, which is always timeless. The opener, “Hold Me Up” displays these ethics perfectly: “Dead on the phone / One is too alone / Suffer as the days / Linger on and on.” Constantly this album makes references to the pseudo-romantic and often disappointing high school life, which makes ‘Symphonies’ an ageless tale -- yet, at times, it can require more than good musical taste to appreciate.
The LP recalls the trudgery and depression of adolescence on tracks like “Time Wraps Around You” -- “To the summer of love, from the winter of fear / Seasons change us around, the reasons not clear.” Some songs even seem to contemplate hopeless suicide: “I believe, I believe / That my life is running out on me” just about hits a teenager’s thoughts in the bulls-eye. Somehow, the loneliness that Velvet Crush exploits seems to only cause some emotional solace, rather than bring the auditor to a complete emotional breakdown; ‘Teenage Symphonies to God’ is an extremely comforting listen.
Musically, Velvet Crush’s influences are lodged somewhere between the folk of the 60’s and the pop of the 70’s -- it assumes the social reassurance of The Grateful Dead (“This time wraps around you / And I’ll wrap around you”) and the pop youth of, say, The Smiths. Influences seem to be extremely clear, especially on closer “Keep On Lingerin’” which sounds like a song by the former. As well as being a master of their own craft, they perfect their influences: “Why Not Your Baby”, a bluegrass song by Gene Clark takes on a much more accessible form in this album. Their studio buddy Matthew Sweet sings “Atmosphere”, a throbbing earworm, and he also wrote “Something’s Gotta Give.” A cluster of all these effects, Velvet Crush still remains a pea in their own pod.
Though rather calm, the lyrics in their songs can cause a lot of aggression in the vocals and audibly in other instruments. “Something’s Gotta Give”, a tune about absolute hopelessness, features a more gritty performance incited by lyrical content: "I'm taking the life line that I stole / And giving it back to you / 'Cause you're dead and I don't wanna live / Something's gotta give.” Relatable and immersive, Velvet Crush exceeds all initial expectations.
As far as welding your own perception of the world is concerned, that's going to have to happen on your own terms. No amount of social chastizement or heartbreak can be replaced by 'Teenage Symphonies to God' -- in fact, the LP may just stunt it. You are going to have to grow up one day. However, we still strive to be as young as possible, to cherish every moment we have as youth. So, do yourself a favor:
Keep on lingerin'. 5/5
