The Velocity Raptors ~ I, Donna

The Velocity Raptors is a clever name for this new band, who subverts post-rock expectations by retaining the dinosaur association (slow, lumbering) and merging it with brevity and speed.  As people continue to debate the future of post-rock (dead, alive, thriving, mutating), this 2-track, 6-minute demo is a sign of mainstream incorporation: post-rock pop with a crossover appeal.  The sound may horrify some and please others, but shifts like these help to keep post-rock alive for all performers.  The wider the acceptance, the greater the concert attendance and sales.

Do we need post-rock singles?  Absolutely.  The Velocity Raptors capture the energy of 65dos and combine it with truncated builds.  Sections shift in seconds, rather than in minutes.  It’s like ripping a cupcake in half and going right for the filling.  “I Swam In the Gulf And Got Oil Wet” (they seem to have the names down) establishes both pace and melody immediately, branching out into secondary melodies before a minute has passed.  The “thoughtful interlude”, if one can call it such, stretches only from 1:05 to 1:25.  At 184 BPM, there’s not much time to waste.  In this, The Velocity Raptors imitate Japanese speed bands such as Mudy on the Sakuban.  “Oh Look a Chinese Baby!” is slower (144 BPM), but with shorter breakdowns.  Some may mistake apparent simplicity for a dearth of ideas, but it’s hard to pack so much into a short song without overload.

A full album of songs such as these might be too much to take, especially an 80-minute album of 27 songs, so let’s hope the band keeps it brief and plays to its strengths.  A half-hour album sounds just about right.  For those who like to dance to post-rock, this is the blend to buy.  (Richard Allen)

Available here