THE VALLEY ARENA "Sesso.Vita" (Anodyne) Review by Jordan A. Baker
THE VALLEY ARENA gained national attention with their debut full-length, Take Comfort In Strangers, the inaugural release on the Geoff Rickley co-helmed label, Astro Magnetics. The propulsive, post-punk release seamlessly mated the demure bass vibes of FUGAZI and Q AND NOT U with the semi-frantic grooves and craftiness of San Diego legends DRIVE LIKE JEHU. Euphemistically, Astro Magnetics went through a rough patch (though the label is still kicking, operating under the watchful glances of Eyeball Records), and the bulk of its roster sought shelter elsewhere. With THE VALLEY ARENA winding up on Anodyne Records, the band's follow-up Sesso.Vita, which was recorded in late 2006, is finally seeing a proper release. And that's a good thing, because these guys have done nothing but improve their seductively rhythmic sound and tighten up the moments where the beats flirted away from center. There's nothing drastically different about Sesso.Vita. The bending, flowing pulse of the bass continues to drive THE VALLEY ARENA, while the drumming captures and endless array of fills, collapsing beats, and the seldom dance-worthy strut. The suffocating creep of the sixth track, "Trashy Janitor," wouldn't seem out of place on one of RADIOHEAD's more guitar-friendly releases. As on the band's debut, lead singer Warren Woodward fashions himself as a crooner, and wastes no time with breathless yelps or forced howls. Woodward isn't a background figure, but his smooth voice is more of a compliment to the band's overall aura. If these guys were from DC, they'd be all the rage...
