V-DEVICE is the first band i’ve reviewed from Naples, the third biggest and most densely populated city of Italy. It’s 2900 year history and status as the origin of pizza is countered by high unemployment, corruption and a thriving black market. It’s somewhere but nowhere, or as the band describe it, full of “illusions, negligence and the need of escaping stereotypes“. This has inspired the V in their name, representative of a bird seeking freedom, as well as their album, Calling Europe. It’s obvious that the need to escape screams from almost everywhere in the world. Here, as it often is, the medium is rock ‘n roll.
The band should have put their best foot forward by releasing an E.P. rather than an album. Some songs don’t fit with regards style and it seems as if the band are representing different stages of their career rather than a single, cohesive moment. There is also an obvious need for better, clearer production.
Nevertheless, V-DEVICE have songs with value. With influences ranging from grunge to Eighties arena, they possess a sound worth solidification and promotion.
Ranging from 2 and 1/2 to 5 minutes, and normally quick to start the vocals, they’re tailored to be accessible. The title track is the lead single, setting the album’s tone of melodic urgency. ‘Citizen Kane’ makes effective use of a slower pace and a catchy repetition of “my city, my city” in the chorus. ‘Hush’ slows things further, not ballad but effective with melody and a short, well-placed, rolling drum beat. The interesting sibling (not protagonist) to distorted guitars and rock drumming are keyboards that add rather than dominate.
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