Viet Cong

(Jagjaguwar)

A dearth of scuzzy indie-rock bands scoring Spin covers not five years ago? That explains the groundswell around Calgary post-punkers Viet Cong. In the offing: defining swaths of analog and industrial grime (“March of Progress”), plus danceable, robotic groove (“Bunker Buster”), and the 11-minute “Death” with all the motorik desiccation you could hope for. And what do we learn? That young men had the wherewithal to torrent all the bands namechecked on LCD Soundsystem’s “Losing My Edge.” Of course that was proven with Crystal Stilts, and Women, and the Soft Moon, and Zola Jesus, and No Age, and Deerhunter. 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. (Thu., 9pm, Cedar Street Courtyard)

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This article appears in March 20 • 2015.

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