dr vitamin - mountain

Dr Vitamin

Mountain
self-released; 2013

3.8 out of 5

By Sean Dennison

Dr Vitamin is a Kentucky five-piece that plays jilted, even-keeled rock music with touches of folk and rockabilly in there. Lead vocalist Jenni Cochran will be one of the biggest draws on this album. Dr Vitamin mentions that nostalgia is the primary influence for their EP’s (entitled Mountain) four tracks, and Cochran sounds like a girl trying to grow up without having to stop having fun. Her half-enthused yowls on the opener "Whites of Your Eyes" eventually give way to protested consignment on the closer "Satellite." Her voice is beautiful, and whatever mood she adopts, the listener is sure to adopt too.

Cochran is the band's biggest strength, but not it's only drawing force. Guitarist Aaron Craker lays out some sublime lines for his bandmates to play around. Zack Kennedy on drums and Neil Norman on bass hold it down pretty well, very few missteps though I'd like to see a more dynamic interplay between the two later on. They shine, though, on "Whites of Your Eyes." The band also notes that song is inspired by traditional Vietnamese melodiesEverything shines brightest though on the folksy ragtime of "Devil's Bet." Here, Craker trades his guitar for piano, Kennedy impresses all with more adventurous drumming. It's the sort of tune you play riding a train on your way to see your love.

The worst part about this EP? Too damn short. Dr Vitamin demonstrates such a versatile sound that simply can't be employed by only four songs. Looking forward to what they have to offer.

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