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Downtown's indie rock mecca hosted Vivian Girls on their last go-round
in Phoenix, and the improvements in their live set were gashes beyond
what this reviewer was expecting. What were unhinged vocals with
missing clarity have now become harmonies that still achieve a raw
edge, but actually sound prepared. Stage presence also developed over
the course of a few seasons, with a far more comfortable vibe coming
from the band.
Critics Notebook:
Last Night: Vivian Girls, The Pods and Chandails at Modified Arts
Better than: P.O.D. at Modified Arts
Personal Bias: I'm not crazy in love the Vivs. I think they're all talented enough, and I do enjoy their music, but sometimes I'm not too sure of the substance there. I cannot entirely pinpoint where this feeling comes from, but, eh, there's my personal bias for you.
Random Fact: Vivian Girls got their name from Henry Darger's In the Realms of the Unreal.
Further listening: An ode to our homeland, "The Desert."
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