Public Mental Health System (Criminal IQ)
When a band takes five years to follow up its debut record, you wonder
why. The witness-protection program, sheer laziness, lack of
inspiration—there are plenty of far-fetched scenarios to draw upon. But
rest assured that none apply to moody Chicago punkers Vee Dee.
It may have taken the Midwest trio half a decade to turn out Public Mental Health System,
but judging from the expansive proto-punk riffage on the ambitious
double LP, there was a good reason for the delay. While the influence
of fuzzed-out mainstays like the Stooges and Electric Eels is
undeniable, Vee Dee’s new material is far more intriguing than the
run-of-the-mill garage-rock blasts coming from the countless New York
Dolls wannabes currently stinking up the podcast airwaves.
Sinking its teeth into a sonic smorgasbord that includes everything
from classic rock and fierce metal to free jazz and beyond (check out
the flute and a prayer bell), Vee Dee turns out fierce numbers like
“Electric Room” and the ever-so-catchy “Cleveland, Outerspace”.
Five years might seem like a long time to wait for 13 tracks, but a
gem like this requires time to germinate. Besides, when you consider
how bloody long it took poor ol’ Axl to put out
Chinese Democracy,
no one can fault Vee Dee for dragging its heels—especially since this
disc borders on being a masterpiece while the bloated Mr. Rose
ultimately squeezed out a steaming pile of dog shit.
From the Chicagoist
Vee Dee constructs garage rock jabs that stretch far beyond the
three minute mark without ever straining one's attention span. Mining
an odd mixture of punk and rough psychedelia Vee Dee shoves tales of
failing systems into his windstorms. This isn't for everyone, and while
the songs never overstay their welcome, a succession of 5-, 6-, and
7-minute explorations in sonic scrawl can wear down the average
listener. We recommend taking one full dose every once in a while and
coming back for nips at the bottle as needed.
Vee Dee plays June 25 at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W Belmont, 9 p.m., $8, 21+, get a copy of his new disc that night