Album Review

Volcano! – Africa Just Wants To Have Fun

• 6th Aug 2008

Had Jeff Buckley been around to hear Vampire Weekend play at v-neck Africana the results would come close to Chicago trio Volcano! ‘Africa Just Wants To Have Fun’ doesn’t take itself nearly as seriously as either and the playful lyrics and bouncy vocals take this out of any genre defining games.

The lead single from the September released follow up to debut album Beautiful Seizure takes pot shots at the industry’s egos, heads big enough to believe they can save the planet: “Me and the natives will be singin’ holdin’ hands we gonna stop all the violence in this land, I’m gonna set this world straight, I’m sucking dick at G-8.”

The lyrics hit the mark often but occasionally sound better buried on record than exposed on paper. However, Volcano! have produced something clever here. Like Weezer they write silly lyrics, which are at the same time extremely memerable and knowing. B-Side ‘Performance Evaluation Shuffle’ is a haunting slow burner showcasing Aaron With’s beautiful high pitched Buckley-esque vocal. If Volcano! can pack ‘Paperwork’ with such variety and intrigue it could drive them out of the underground. “Are you bored or inspired?” Well the natives will worship the music not some hollow gesture.

Monday 4 August 2008 (digital) / Monday 11 August (vinyl) The 7” will be strictly limited to just 500 hand-numbered copies for the world.