Slow Burning Car – Vicarious Disclosures

Slow Burning Car
Vicarious Disclosures
Out: September 15^th, 2023
Playing time: 45:16

Slow Burning Car are a Rock band from Los Angeles. I couldn’t find out how long the band has existed. What is certain is that the debut album “Blowback” was released in 2007. Further albums were released more or less regularly on their own. “Vicarious Disclosures”, released in September 2023, is already album number six.

“Shapeless Faceless” offers a lively introduction to the album. Troy Spiropoulos’ voice sounds pleasant. But I like his female duet partner Kim Clayborne  even better. Most of the melodies are very soulful. But there are also rockier parts. “Crime Minister” then has a clear Punk attitude. The drums are booming. Although the guitar playing offers more than the famous three chords, it is still kept very simple. The vocals also sound a bit weird. “A Winter’s Purge” sounds more like a Classic Rock song. And is probably one of the highlights of the album. On the other hand, “Cyanide Planes” moves back into classic three-chord Punk Rock realms. Although there is also a strong guitar solo to be heard. The partly technically altered vocals also fit in with this. Here you can hear Kim again. “Hardtime Walking” is in the same vein, but a bit faster. Once again, Troy’s voice sounds a bit weird. The guitars fry on “B.F.U.”. Kim sings very powerfully here and puts a lot of Punk into her voice. “(One For) Subtlety” starts with a radio station search. This has already been heard in various songs by other bands. But hardly any of them later play the fast Punk chords so impressively. “Millionaire” is the first surprise on the album. You can hear a strong Country influence here. The second surprise is the acoustic cover of “Wasted Years”. Yes, it really is the Iron Maiden song. Musically damn close to the original. It’s impressive how sensitively a Punk Rock band interprets this hit. The final track is another acoustic song. “Rudderless Ship” is a very emotional finale.

“Vicarious Disclosures” is far more than just a classic Punk Rock album. Even though Punk dominates, it still surprises with an atypical musical diversity. The two acoustic songs at the end are particularly impressive. Here the musicians, especially lead guitarist Aaron Kusterer, prove that they are capable of much more. If I could make one wish, it would be for more lead vocals from Kim Clayborne. Her voice enriches some of the songs and she cuts a convincing figure as a duet partner.

Track list:

• Shapeless Faceless
• Crime Minister
• A Winter’s Purge
• Cyanide Planess
• Hardtime Walking
• B.F.U.
• (One For) Subtlety
• Millionaire
• Wasted Years 
• Rudderless Ship