“Continental Shelf” by Viet Cong – A Song Review

Contributor: Karen M.

      The Calgary-based four-piece post-punk band Viet Cong, featuring former Women members Matt Flegal and Mike Wallace, has recently released their first song "Continental Shelf" and their self-titled debut album will be released on January 20, 2015 via Jagjaguwar (or Flemish Eye in Canada). 

     When researching the definition of a Continental Shelf, one finds phrases such as “a submerged border”, “slopes gradually” and “steeper descent into the ocean bottom.”  This raucous song, full of feverish guitar riffs and pace changes escorts the listener through these various depths, taking you into deep dark waters before bringing you back near the surface.  Beneath the submerged distorted sounds, there are layers of sunlight, steadily backed by Flegels’ comforting deep vocals. The lyrics “liquid gold” are sprinkled in the song, and this song is exactly that.  If you, like me, are left craving more (much more), Viet Cong announced a world tour, see dates below.  A couple of these shows are in New York.

     The band consists of vocalist/bassist Matt Flegel, drummer Mike Wallace, as well as guitarists Scott Munro and Daniel Christiansen.

      “Continental Shelf” by Viet Cong

      Continental Shelf (Official Audio with lyrics)

Bandcamp: http://vietcong.bandcamp.com/

Upcoming Tour Dates of Viet Cong

11.18.14 - Total Refreshment Studios - London, UK

11.19.14 - Scala - London, UK (w/ Ought)

11.20.14 - AB Club - Brussels, BE (w/ Ought)

11.21.14 - Le Guess Who? Festival - Utrecht, NL

11.22.14 - La Mécanique Ondulatoire - Paris, FR

01.28.15 - Union Pool - Brooklyn, NY (w/ PC Worship)

01.29.15 - Mercury Lounge - New York, NY

01.30.15 - Bar Le Ritz PDB - Montreal, QC

01.31.15 - The Garrison - Toronto, ON

02.05.15 - Deaf Institute - Manchester, UK

02.06.15 - Broadcast - Glasgow, UK

02.07.15 - Brudenell Social - Leeds, UK

02.08.15 - Green Door Store - Brighton, UK

02.10.15 - Paradiso - Amsterdam, NL

02.11.15 - West Germany - Berlin, DE

02.12.15 - Loppen - Copenhagen, DK

02.13.15 - Pokalen - Oslo, NO

02.15.15 - Hafenklang - Hamburg, DE

02.16.15 - Rotown - Rotterdam, NL

02.17.15 - De Kreun - Kortrijk, BE