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Album Reviews

In case the title of the album doesn't give it away, Vegas Car Chasers is an off the wall, tongue in cheek melting pot of wit, humor, sarcasm, and various musical styles. Although I hear nothing particularly original in their music, per se, their approach is definitely all their own.

"Original" appropriately enough demonstrates this perfectly. The entire song is about creating an original song (or a not-so-original song, as the case may be). From the verse to the refrain to the bridge or breakdown, to the final lead-out, segment tells the "correct" formula to create a successful song. It may be the work of nuts, but it's a riot. And I must hand it to them - it's original!

"Billboards and Pillars," the first song released to radio, is right in line with the title of the CD in its message. "Vegas Car Chasers" was meant to knock both the notion of seeking after worldly riches, as well as the tendency to look to places such as Vegas as "sin centers," forgetting that sin is everywhere. "Billboards and Pillars" carries that message sideways, screaming in a world-weary way of shallow attitudes, judgmental spirits, and facades. The chorus puts things into perspective quite well: "Billboards and pillars is all that I see. Will someone please show Jesus Christ to me?"

"Verb" mixes elements of 70's disco, rap, and alternative rock into a cool tune that subtly bombards you with a message of the power of words; "Credit Cards" came from their experience going from relatively affluent lifestyles to life on the road, with little money, and talks about not letting financial status determine your value or your attitude; and "Ketchup Is Mustard" is in the same vein as the Newsboys' "Breakfast," using food to mask a subtle message about faith.

Bottom line, Vegas Car Chasers is a humorous and witty CD. It's funny, clever, and has a subtle way of presenting a good message. Musically, though, it doesn't really stand out to me.

~ David Longenecker

I was a bit skeptical when I discovered I was to review Silage, as I was not impressed to supersonic joy with their debut album, Watusi. It was comical at first, but many of their songs were out-right repetitive at times. Even starting with a bad bias, Silage's sophomore release, Vegas Car Chasers, blew my mind.

You need to run, not walk, to your nearest music store, and buy multiple copies to share with your friends. For those of you who like your music to have balance and consistency, this stuff rocks. The voices flow in harmony, and the songs have consistent rhythm.

Vegas Car Chasers starts out with a song called 'Original' in which they critique people that accuse Christian bands of lacking originality. Silage is defending Christian bands because the majority is striving for unique and fresh sounds, but it's easier said than done. Their second song, 'Yo Tengo,' uses the words "Jazz Super Stereophonic" as a colorful metaphor for the concept of joy in a Christian's life. Silage apparently gets hyped when they hear jazz. 'Billboards' is about Silage's concern for the lost that hear too much "fire and brimstone" from their Christian contacts, and not enough about the full love of Jesus Christ.

Silage is still a punk band, but they've matured a lot in this sophomore release. There is a variety of musical styles in this new album from a bit of rap to a taste of ska. The theme of Vegas Car Chasers is the idea that we get so caught up in following society's trends, fads and priorities (such as money, fame, and happiness) that we forget about Paul's exhortation in Romans 12:2 when he wrote, "Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Doug E.)

~ Doug E.