La Costa Perdida

I've been a fan of CVB for 20 years now, going back to being 13 years old. I got into the band after their initial dissolution, but fell in love with the sounds they made, the mystique they cultivated, the worldviews conveyed in their music and their unique way of filtering classic rock and other influences. I would follow Cracker and the projects that the rest of the ex-CVB members pursued. I was thrilled when CVB started playing some shows with Cracker and then reunited for their own tours and new projects. However, until now, there had not been a new CVB record in over 8 years. So, I've been highly anticipating this record!Hearing the advance release of "Northern California Girls," however, dampened my spirits. That song is over 7 minutes long here and it immediately strikes me as the worst thing I've heard from CVB. But, my fears were overcome upon playing the album (alas!).The album starts with the mellow "Come Down the Coast," which is a really nice track, though perhaps seems out of place as an album opener for CVB. I think it's a really great David Lowery song, though.The two high points on this album are "Someday Our Love Will Sell Us Out" and "Summer Days." "Someday..." seems to bear a strong imprint, musically, from Jonathan Segel. His violin is lovely here, and I wouldn't be surprised if he was also playing the guitar here. David's vocal fits well with the track and the song has a sort of ominous tone. It's an immediate classic, for me.Even better is "Summer Days," which musically sounds more like Greg Lisher and Victor Krummenacher are incorporating their Monks of Doom style playing, with Jonathan Segel making another fine entry on violin. This song really rocks.Some other comments: "Too High For the Love In" is fun. Musically, it sounds great. I get the story that the lyrics are based around, and I think lines like "flying ambulance" are just fun. Perhaps it might sound just like being absurd for the sake of being absurd, though. Still, I like it. It's fun.The album's title track is a nice little country-ish tune, calming but with movement. "Aged in Wood" is a cool little minute, which incorporates sound effects reminiscent of Cracker's "Hi Desert Biker Meth Lab," it has cool sounds though, but it's only a quick interlude.So, while I really hate "Northern California Girls" and find "Peaches in the Summertime" to be a throw-away track, there's definitely some nice music here and the best parts sound right up there with some of my favorite stuff from the band and its members. It's great to hear them making some new music and I hope it won't be 9 years before the next record. The songs may not have as much depth and the humor may not be as cutting as on early, classic CVB records, but there is quality to be had here. Fans of the band will likely find things to enjoy.

The whole album has a quiet, easy-going, & wistful tone throughout, especially the songs "Come Down the Coast," "Too High for the Love-In," "Someday Our Love Will Sell Us," the beautiful "Northern California Girls," "La Costa Perdida," and "A Love for All Time." A couple changes in pace come through in "You Got to Roll" with its almost experimental jam and "Peaches in the Summertime" with its lively violin. It's totally different from previous CVB efforts, but excels in a new direction, and although missing some of the quirkiness of their early years, it has a more mature, laid-back feel. Yet you'll still find the varied instruments and sounds, like violin and mandolin, and even some female backing vocals, interspersed throughout the songs, and all adding depth and character to the whole work. A quality band, one of my favorites along with R.E.M., Pixies, and 10,000 Maniacs, and still making music that's vital and unlike anything else out there.

OK, I must clear this up right now. I consider some of the folks in this band to be friends. But I also have to say that Camper van Beethoven was an acquired taste for me. I first became a fan of David Lowery's successor band, "Cracker", through my friendship with Johnny Hickman, who co-founded "Cracker" with Lowery in 1991. Johnny suggested that I listen to CVB's CDs. I liked a few of the songs, but wasn't wildly enthusiastic. Then I listened to them again. The songs grew on me, as did the mixture of so many kinds of popular music. Then I started listening to David Lowery's lyrics. They made me think, maybe more than I wanted to, but make me think they did.I was hooked. This is world-class music played by an incredibly-versatile group of musicians.The first time through the CD, I reminded myself of my previous experiences listening to their stuff. The second time through, I began getting into it. Third time through, hooked again. So, upon hearing this CD for the first time, you might shrug your shoulders and say, "Huh?", but give it time. You'll come around.But first, you gotta buy the CD. I did, and even got a refund of $2.83 from my original pre-order price! Nice!Now, if I could just get someone to make me a sandwich!

I was struck by one line in Amazon's main review of this album: "The songwriting here has elements of vintage Camper along with grown-up Camper."I think that's a pretty succinct take on this new album. It doesn't have that exuberant wackiness of their beloved early indie albums, but fragments of that sound do pop up in some of the songs. Most of the songs lean more toward the "mature alternative" sound (could that be a new genre?) that the band forged during their Virgin years. Vocally, David Lowery sounds as delightfully off-key as ever, and the instrumental prowess of the rest of the band continues to be a strength. My favorites on this new album include the hyper "Peaches in the Summertime," the blissful "Northern California Girls" and the engaging title track. Not my favorite CVB album but a long shot, but a pleasing comeback nevertheless.

I have been waiting for this album since "New Roman Times" and it did not disappoint. I am a critical listener, in that I do not celebrate everything my favourite artists release and I will break up with an artist when they disappoint me. I am sorry Nick Cave, but after "Let love In" things just were not the same.Anyway, I really liked the pace and structure of the album which I think contributes to its charm. I don't want to say "it's a journey" because I know what a sad cliché that is, but in this case it is true. Lyrically the album is great and has those touches I associate with David Lowery. It is good to see his writing mature and reflect his own growth.

Heard the name of this band over many years, but never heard their music until the brilliant 'California Girls' was included on a music mag freebie. Appetite wetted I went out in search of more and bought the album from which said track hailed.....and I was not disappointed. CVB are a whacky lot, but have got some great tunes to go with their bizarre lyrics, rather reminiscent of 'ol Frank Zappa, not only in lyrical content but also skilled musicianship treading in to many musical genres in the course of the album....Prog Country Avant Garde Surf Music as a new Genre anybody? If so, these guys have cornered the market.As stated previously I am a newcomer to this band, so I don't know how this compares to their previous output, so I am listening to this without preconceived ideas as to what a CVB album should be like......all I know is this is bloody good stuff and I will be delving deeper into their back catalogue.

A great addition to the the CVB collection. More like their later albums than the earlier stuff. Evolution is a good thing.

I'm so glad I bought this, it's marvellous. For a band that has only released 2 albums in the last 24 years, this is just brilliant stuff. These guys have chemistry beyond belief and the album is so growing on me already, what would a world without CVB feel like? Dread the thought...

Für alle Fans der Americana-Music, auch Country-Rock genannt ein Muss! Wer die Amis 'Cracker' mag der findet auch Gefallen an Camper Van B:!