The Littlest Viking's prog / math rock manifestations does not sacrifice emotional edges on "Civil War Lesbian Realness"

AP Track Review

Civil War Lesbian Realness by two man prog rockers / math rock purveyors, The Littlest Viking, aka Ruben Jesse Cortez on guitar and Christopher Patrick Gregory on drums (with David Benitez lending bass, synth and vocals on this project) is a densely packed rocker and as kick ass as the musical breaks are, it has a surprisingly catchy soaring chorus. I say surprisingly because sometimes math rock / prog rock songs maximize the wound up musical interplay and sacrifice melody but not here. Cortez's vocal aesthetic is strident, passionate and perfectly broken. That being said, the musical interplay does make your jaw drop. Gregory's drum work (impressive kick drum flourishes) are incredibly tight but not over used and he knows how to service the song shifting drum patterns on the verses and digging in fills in the right places while never stepping over the melody. Similarly, Cortez, mirrors the sort of sad vocal melodies with guitar lines. Bass lines provided by David Benitez create a full bottom edge.  All this slight breathing room works because when the musical mayhem happens it is tumultuously emotional and, oh so, exquisitely precise. You find yourself coming back to this track to hear those heavy tight intricacies and wish they lasted a bit longer. 

Civil War Lesbian Realness is half of The Littlest Viking's self titled 7 inch single released via Killer Tofu Records. The band hails from Whittier, California. 

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Robb Donker 




THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:

The Littlest Viking is basically the bastard musical lovechild of Don Caballero, Piglet, American Football, Braid, and Hot Snakes. Tambourines, ridiculous drum fills, wicked tapping, hoarse shouting, noise freakouts, salsa beats and the occasional Prince sample are a staple of any TLV live show.