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Viet Cong
by
Viet Cong Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 73 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the debut full-length release for the Canadian quartet that includes members of the band Women.
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Top Track

Continental Shelf
When all is said and done You'll be around until you're gone Crystallized canceled eyes Illegitimate merchandise Don't wanna face the world It's... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. NOW Magazine
    Jan 14, 2015
    100
    The songcraft is high, balancing repetitive groove with dynamic surprises. There's so much variety here, from icy Joy Divisionesque excursions (Silhouettes) to Guided by Voices-through-an-echo-chamber mood (Continental Shelf) to melodic hooks (Bunker Buster) to howling post-punk fury (Death). It lends huge excitement to the project.
  2. Exclaim
    Jan 20, 2015
    90
    It's these frenzied, sharp-turn transitions are what make this band feel so vital, so alive and so different.
  3. Pitchfork
    Jan 22, 2015
    85
    Viet Cong has only seven tracks and more than half don’t pass the five minute mark. Yet all are heavy, ingenious contraptions.
  4. The Quietus
    Jan 16, 2015
    80
    The heartening, splendid news is that this first album, a self-titled, seven-track whirlwind, is full-on brilliant all the way through.
  5. AllMusic
    Jan 20, 2015
    80
    Viet Cong were a group full of promise on their debut EP, Cassette, and with their harder, heavier, and more powerful debut album, they're making it clear they have the talent and smarts to become a major force in Canada's indie community.
  6. Spin
    Jan 20, 2015
    80
    The thought and vision tucked into these constructions are inexhaustibly fun to listen to and unpack.
  7. Austin Chronicle
    Mar 18, 2015
    40
    It's not fair to hold Viet Cong's hype against them, but an album this ordinary points to a generation of indie-rock writers trying, and failing, to pretend the bubble hasn't burst.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. knoxvox
    May 11, 2015
    10
    Wait & see - this album will become a classic w time. It'll definitely end up being one of the best "rock" albums of the year - if not theWait & see - this album will become a classic w time. It'll definitely end up being one of the best "rock" albums of the year - if not the most interesting. Calgary grungies done good.… Expand
  2. jyo_tirmaya
    Jan 22, 2015
    10
    I can't remember when I've heard music like this. My first reaction was a more amped up gothic band like Death In June. They also remind me ofI can't remember when I've heard music like this. My first reaction was a more amped up gothic band like Death In June. They also remind me of Ice Age, who are also making this kind of music these days. If, like me, you can't understand the lyrics or what they're singing about, just the tone of the vocals gives you the clue. This is a great album and comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!… Expand
  4. tsentz
    Jan 20, 2015
    10
    This should be getting far more attention than it is. Sleater Kinney's new one is great too, but this surpasses it in my opinion for it'sThis should be getting far more attention than it is. Sleater Kinney's new one is great too, but this surpasses it in my opinion for it's originality, and intensity. I love it, start to finish. Not a bad song on here.… Expand
  5. CiphirSol
    Jan 27, 2015
    9
    This is a very tight, energetic collection of songs. Viet Cong has some great synergy and are capable of working some real post-punk magic.This is a very tight, energetic collection of songs. Viet Cong has some great synergy and are capable of working some real post-punk magic. Another band to watch.… Expand
  6. Noiseblock
    Feb 24, 2015
    8
    Viet Cong prove that they can live up to the expectations that inevitably came with the status of being the spiritual successor of the praisedViet Cong prove that they can live up to the expectations that inevitably came with the status of being the spiritual successor of the praised band Women. Ultimately, the self-titled debut album of Viet Cong is a post-punk behemoth with a ferocious drive behind all the bleak lyrics, mostly expressed through loud guitars and military sounding drums mixed with a healthy portion of experimental synths. It definitely raised the bar for any album to come after it.… Expand
  7. stopmakingsense
    Feb 1, 2015
    8
    Their 2013 debut EP Cassette was OK but it didn't exactly leave you thinking that this band had any great potential. That all changes on theirTheir 2013 debut EP Cassette was OK but it didn't exactly leave you thinking that this band had any great potential. That all changes on their self-titled debut LP Viet Cong. At just over 35 minutes and containing seven tracks, it's great a mix of lo-fi noise, post-punk and art rock. Containing a good balance of repetitive noise grooves, dark hooks, as well as some nice twists and turns thrown in there which keeps things interesting. The album is heavy, energetic, passionate and imaginative, with tight song writing and great production. You can hear the obvious influences of 1980s's noise/art rock and post-punk (Wire, Sonic Youth etc.), but the album is more than just an attempt to copy and paste the sounds of that era into the modern one. Not many bands come along that stand alone, completely separated from their influences. What matters is what they do with them and Viet Cong do a fine job of refashioning these sounds into their own. You can also hear that the band is made up of two former members of Women (bassist and drummer), though Viet Cong are definitely less of a challenging listen. An excellent debut album and a nice surprise from a band for whom expectations were initially not that high.

    Stand Out Tracks: Bunker Buster; Continental Shelf; Silhouettes    … Expand
  8. Custom_Concerns
    Jan 21, 2015
    7
    Besides Continental Shelf, I don't think the songwriting here is anything to write home about, but the pure sound of Viet Cong is certainlyBesides Continental Shelf, I don't think the songwriting here is anything to write home about, but the pure sound of Viet Cong is certainly well-designed and something to behold. I'm a fan of the noisy, punchy guitars and the Wolf Parade-esque vocals. I don't think it is quite as good as most everyone else thinks it is, but I still enjoy it quite a bit.… Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

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