SINGLE REVIEW: VIC ALLEN - MEXICO
The second instalment on what is already looking like an essential purchase has arrived in the shape of "Mexico", the second single from Vic Allen's forthcoming second album. This song has been a staple part of Vic's live set for some time and it brings together a number of themes that regularly find their way into her material, ie travel and a failed romance that will probably say more about herself then it will do the other party. In fact Vic wastes very little time on describing the person of her affections, it is the strong feelings it has generated, that are key here.
Even from just the opening few seconds, the sound this time seems bolder, an electric guitar riff is out loud and proud at the front of the mix over some light percussion,acting as a sort of fanfare for the main event - the arrival of Vic.
The big sound then fades and we are left with a stumming guitar much like Vic would play if this were a solo version of the song.
"Everybody knows your name, cos I drop it all the time
Act like it's casual but it ain't, the fact that your still on my mind"
Obviously those being bombarded with constant name dropping will point out the obvious, that it was the heat, the location the senses being overwhelmed by different sights, sounds and smells.
"They'll say it was the moment, golden, holding something no-one else could see
Tell me it was the magic, static,what we had is lost in a glow, and I know"
The rhythm generated by those rapid fire two syllable words sees Vic really nailing down the lyrics with force, the percussion accentuating her delivery. It leads to a chorus the sound wise explodes as the guitar once more joins the fray accompanied by some beefy percussion. It feels like we are inside Vic's head hearing the machinations of her thought process, one half, the more reasoned half says it's over and you've got to let go, the other half, the romantic still clings to the special feelings and memories evoked by that trip.
"I don't think it was Mexico, I think it was you
and yeah I got to let you go, but it ain't easy to do
Cos it wasn't the heat of the summer, sky full of colour
Caught up cos it was all brand new
So far away from home, knew that I had to go
But it wasn't Mexico, it was all you"
The second verse sees that internal battle rage further
"I could count the nights, I had with you on one hand
but something 'bout it felt so right and no-one seems to understand
Looking through all the pictures, I miss you, I wish it was different
I'm stuck in the glow and I know"
As ever with a Vic Allen single it is not just what is going on up front, there are lots of subtle details, the additional backing vocals, the heartbeat percussion, the background guitar work all playing their part.
The video ends with Vic looking wistfully off into the sun, before heading off for a new adventure,closing out a pretty much perfect pop single.
It really sets expectations high for what else Vic has up her sleeve for this next album.
