V

The Age

Friday August 8, 2008

Craig Mathieson

V

Van She

(Modular)

2/5.5

Having already enjoyed number-one albums this year with Cut Copy and the Presets, Sydney-based label Modular has branded itself as the label of choice for electro-rock and indie electronica. The problem is that such a stance creates a difficult standard for the next generation on the roster - they have to either be very good or defiantly distinct. Van She fall short in both regards. Their debut album has two settings: spooked, minimal electro (Strangers), and summery, Gallic disco-pop (Kelly). The problem is that each genre feels emotionally and thematically quarantined, when they could use some crosstown traffic to colour each in turn. Van She's coldness is rigid and self-serving; their euphoric choruses ultimately anaemic. Certain moments show them in a stronger light, including the astral tweaking of opener Memory Man and the ambitious The Sea, which is one of the few tracks here to make full use of their preference for synthetic drums and percussion patterns. But as it is, V doesn't add a great deal to Modular's achievements in 2008. As Gerry and the Pacemakers were to the Beatles, Van She are to the Presets. -- CRAIG MATHIESON

© 2008 The Age

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