With a band name like
Wolf Colonel and short, spiky pop songs with equally nonsensical titles like "Mister Easter Aeroplane," "These Aquatic Droids," and "Uncle of France" -- 15 of them in less than a half hour, all told -- it's pretty clear that singer/guitarist
Jason Anderson learned his indie rock life lessons at the altar of
Guided by Voices. Fortunately,
Vikings of Mint is a damn sight better than the last few GBV records; what Anderson's songs lack in originality they make up for in sheer panache, combining tersely infectious melodies, woozy harmonies, and careening guitars to create breathlessly energetic fuzz pop worth a listen for its enthusiasm alone. Sure,
Vikings of Mint wears its influences on its sleeve --
Superchunk,
the Replacements, and
Buffalo Tom figure prominently as well -- but in its own hand-me-down way, it's the kind of indie rock record they just don't make anymore. ~ Jason Ankeny