Party In The War Zone
Liberation Hall, 2025
10/10
Listen to Party In The War Zone
The seminal Los Angeles New Wave outfit Vivabeat are seeing their small catalog reissued, and this only album released in 1980 further proves just how ahead of their time they were.
“Working For William” opens with thick synth before Doug Orilio’s thumping drums and Terrance Robay’s distinct vocals enter the rhythmic climate, and “From The Bop” follows with a playful energy that you could dance to thanks to Mick Muhlfriedel’s frisky bass and the animated keys.
Halfway through the original album, “Pop Girl” offers an upbeat and lively bout of New Wave fun, while “Man From China”, the band’s hit, mesmerizes us with its spacey appeal, charming whistling and Alec Murphy’s well timed guitar.
“Jet Set” exits the original 10 tunes with plenty of punk spirit that’s harmonic, scrappy and sure has aged well, and of the 4 bonus tunes, “The Power Of Love”, which recruits Jeff Gilbert on guitar and Chris Schendel on drums, is particularly memorable in its uniquely romantic and post-punk fueled template that invites singing along.
Peter Gabriel saw a lot of potential in Vivabeat and got them signed to a British label, which yielded a Top 20 Dance Hit (“Man From China”). Though they stayed together for a few more years and did record other songs, this was their lone album.
Many of the original members of Vivabeat have passed on, but this well done reissue preserves a really great album that definitely deserves attention from anyone with an ear for New Wave, post-punk or even ‘80s dance rock.
Travels well with: Translator- Beyond Today: Live At The Farm San Francisco 1986; 999- Emergency At The Old Waldorf 1979