mt. st. helens vietnam band

Benjamin Verdoes: The Evil Eye

Andy Fenstermaker
January 13, 2014January 13, 2014

Tomorrow, Benjamin Verdoes releases The Evil Eye on Brick Lane Records. For Verdoes, a founding and continuing member of the Seattle-based internet sensation Mount St. Helens Vietnam Band (MSHVB) on Dead Oceans, it is his first venture into solo territory. I doubt I’m the first to say that Verdoes is just as powerful here as he has been throughout the MSHVB tenure. The Evil Eye is the first truly exciting album I’ve heard this year. Read More »Benjamin Verdoes: The Evil Eye

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Warm Body

Andy Fenstermaker
April 1, 2012March 31, 2012

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band is back with their first new material since their 2010 sophomore LP, Where The Messengers Meet. “Warm Body” is off the new MSHVB EP, due out on Dead Oceans in the near future. The track is on the softer side of what we’ve heard from this Seattle band, but it remains as tight and composed as their existing library or work. Read More »Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Warm Body

Fense’s Radio Show: March 30, 2012

Andy Fenstermaker
March 31, 2012May 20, 2023

It is happening again. After two dormant weeks of doing virtually nothing (OK, very little is more like it), evenings this week were spent spinning vinyl by The Smiths and painting Andi’s sewing room in preparation for putting in the bamboo flooring this weekend.

Andy Fenstermaker
May 26, 2010May 25, 2010

Dead Oceans announced yesterday the sophomore release by Portland’s Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, titled Where The Messengers Meet. The album, out August 3, hits about a year and a half after the band’s self-titled debut. That album came in just outside our top 10 album of 2009 thanks to angular, erratic, and often hauntingly frantic musicianship fronted by expert, harmonic vocals. Read More »Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band Announce New Album

FensePost Top 50: The Best Albums of 2009

Andy Fenstermaker
December 31, 2009May 12, 2023

2009 is a tough year to judge. I’ve checked out more albums this year than any year in the past. Well over 1,000. And there have been quite a few great ones as well. When this list began, it had 110 albums. I abandoned my top 33 and 1/3 for 45, and then said “screw it” and upped the number to an even 50. These are the top notch albums of the year, all worthy of praise.

A Retrospective Top 33 and 1/3: Best Albums of 2008

Andy Fenstermaker
December 23, 2009May 18, 2023

When I compiled my original Best Of 2008 list last December, it was a snow day. The sky dropped about a foot, maybe a foot and a half of fluffy white stuff and we lowly sub-compact drivers could go nowhere. Between ranking albums and locating album art, I took a stroll around town with my camera. The above image comes from that trek. Overall, I was pretty happy with last year’s list but, in revisiting all the albums from 2008, I now see quite a few that I left out.

Andy Fenstermaker
August 10, 2009August 8, 2009

It hasn’t been all too long since Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band released their first video for a track off this year’s excellent self-titled debut LP, out now on Dead Oceans. In “Albatross, Albatross, Albatross” the band alters tempo and volume for a song both erratic and astounding. Signature to Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band is the wild guitars highly infectious riffs and a vocal styling that is par none. The video takes the viewer through a similar mind-altering experience; it’s the makings of a short horror story. Read More »Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Albatross, Albatross, Albatross [Video]

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Cheer For Fate [Video]

Andy Fenstermaker
June 23, 2009September 20, 2009

Destruction has never been so catchy, as proven by Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band in their video for “Cheer For Fate”. The song, as noted in my review of their self titled Dead Oceans LP, the song originated from the group’s debut, Weepy EP. Read More »Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Cheer For Fate [Video]

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
March 19, 2009March 15, 2009

Four of the eleven tracks on the latest release by Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, actually their debut full-length, are not exclusives. These four can also be found on their Weepy EP and include opener “Who’s Asking”, “Cheer For Fate”, “Anchors Dropped” and “Dull Reason”. But, to be honest, I could care less. Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band is a phenomenal release worthy of as much esteem as the whole world can muster. Read More »Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band [Album Review]

Best of 2008: Fense’s Top 33 & 1/3 Albums of the Year

Andy Fenstermaker
December 23, 2008May 18, 2023

The year is over. We have a new president about to take office, a failing economy, and out of control weather. The good news is that last year saw some amazing albums hit and, thanks to the rampant oppression of hard times, next year should prove just as fruitful music-wise. After all, difficult times, depression, etc. can often breed above average achievements in the arts… right?

So here it is, my top 33 and 1/3 albums of the year and the last post of 2008. The 33 is for the top 33 albums (with a few EPs included) of the year, while the 1/3 is an honorable mention 7″ single. We’ll begin with the latter…