Vallejo - Into the View
Sony/Epic/Crescent Moon Records

By Ben Ohmart (more articles from this author) 2001-01-14

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Artist: Vallejo (www.vallejomusic.com)
Title: Into the View
Label: Sony/Epic/Crescent Moon Records
Genre: Rock

You can't go wrong listening to a rock band with 3 guitars in the groove. A.J. Vallejo leads the 6 man team with his unruffled young voice and lead guitar, while the band also supports a drummer And a percussionist. Like getting 2 bands for 1, eh?

Once you're online (and you can hear the modem click you on at the start), 'Into the New' begins your 49 minute rock ride into a new sensation. Getting swiftly away from the acoustic folk base of the previous decade, Vallejo represents the strong arm of Aerosmith power and TUNES. Catchy pop melodies dart through these 12 songs, and there's no turning back once you've tuned in. 'into a new dimension with my feet on the front line / it's not like I'm getting much more time / remember '99, it never was enough / we're gonna do it right, not gonna give it up.' A disc you can yell against into 2001.

Lyrically, these guys are very adept at putting the odd phrase into the popular conception. One of the best could be 'Modern Day Slave', which just happens to do the impossible: a rap portion that's not tangent and intrusive. Starts with 'Welcome to America / the chosen land of the free / all you need is common sense / it helps to have some money / I never make what I owe / I guess my pay is so low / for the average citizen / it seems I'm losing again' and only gets better from there. The smarts of adult contemporary in the hands of skilled musicians who aren't afraid to be loud and conflicting. What else do you need? Oh, shut up.

It ain't all loud, they can move with acoustic beauty when they wanna. 'Someway' begins with a creak and something unplugged, but they don't keep it there. The drama of the electric guitar comes in and it levels you back to Vallejo. You won't forget who they are.

To the mainstream, have a go at 'Over You', the anthem to independence in this life. 'Well it's been so good since my vision's not blunted / and now I can do what I always really wanted / and now I'm drinkin' wine and eatin' cannelloni / and it's your bed and you make don't break it'. Oh, he's SO over you, girl.

The Sony/Epic/Crescent Moon label is lucky to have these electric outlets. Exceedingly professional, mixed like a strong coffee. You don't need cream.

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