beck, sondre lerche, josh rouse, ac newman, the bees, wilco, jeff tweedy, uncle tupelo, son volt, loose fur, david bowie, ziggy stardust, beulah, eels, modest mouse, mull historical society, ambulance ltd, stereototal, broken social scene, wrens, the shins, my morning jacket, ween, apples in stereo, paul westerberg, donovan, the beatles, michael jackson, justin timberlake, rufus wainwright, the decemberists, neutral milk hotel, the flaming lips, elton john, abba, scissor sisters, elephant 6, the beach boys, brian wilson, the smiths, morrisey, the cure, robert smith, kid dakota, low, bright eyes, sam cooke, al green, carina round, fiona apple, alicia keys, maroon 5, athelete, radiohead, the pixies, REM, michael stipe, ohio players, stereolab, brian eno, jon brion, cat power, built to spill, nick drake, iron and wine, biz markie, pavement, stephen malkamus, bumble beez, duran duran, postal service, deathcab for cutie, graham smith, incredible moses leroy, kleenex girl wonder, from bubblegum to sky, of montreal, stereototal, bumblebeez, lou reed, belle & sebastien, enon, deerhoof, ben folds, ben kweller, sam cooke, marvin gaye, stevie wonder, motown, soul, the thrills, fiona apple, alicia keys, tilly & the wall, kings of convenience, orland oye, jeff buckley, elvis costello, cat power, dinosaur jr, nick drake, iron and wine, simon & garfunkel, usher, prince, rick james, jimmy fallon, hefner, enon, har mar superstar
Although the Minneapolis group Vicious Vicious began as Erik Appelwick's moniker for his debut album recorded entirely on four-track, Blood and Clover, it soon grew into a full-blown live band when Darren Jackson, Alex Oana, and Martin Dosh climbed aboard. With the quartet hashing out arrangements of Appelwick's home recordings, they began making waves in Minneapolis, and the local press started to take notice, earning Appelwick a nomination for best rock recording by the Minnesota Music Academy in 2002. The group earned another nomination by the same academy a year later... - All Music Guide, Gregory McIntosh
The Star Tribune (Minneapolis) had local music buffs, critics, writers, scenesters and taste-makers vote for the best local releases of 2005 and "Don't Look So Surprised" came in second place only after Atmosphere:
2. VICIOUS VICIOUS "DON'T LOOK SO SURPRISED"
It's a quick 34 minutes, but in that time we hear VV proprietor Erik Appelwick (also of the Hopefuls, who placed fifth in this poll last year) go from ecstatic romancer to confused lover to lost loner. One thing he doesn't lose, though, is the beat. Even at its most down, the CD is high on sexy rhythms and electronic flourishes, part Beck, Bowie and Bjrk. No surprise the critics loved it. 126 voter points
The Pioneer Press (St. Paul) voted Don't Look So Surprised ..6 in it's "Best Local Releases of 2005":
6. Vicious Vicious, "Don't Look So Surprised" (The Redemption Recording Co.) Unlike the breezy power pop of his other band, the Hopefuls, Erik Appelwick's Vicious Vicious is more concerned with hazy, lazy funk that's both danceable and sultry. Appelwick shared his golden touch with other Twin Cities acts this year, too, ably producing Tapes 'N Tapes, White Light Riot and Fitzgerald.
The Minnesota Music Academy awarded Vicious Vicious with it's "Best Local Recording of 2005" award for the album "Don't Look So Surprised".
The Onion named Don't Look So Surprised in it's own "Best Local Releases of 2005" issue: (..10 in this one)
10) Vicious Vicious, Dont Look So Surprised: Even though the band that Erik Appelwick and Darren Jackson formed together as a larktracksuit-clad power-pop combo The Hopefulswound up having a bigger buzz than their original projects, neither Vicious Vicious nor Kid Dakota fell by the wayside. In Appelwicks case, VV wound up letting him explore his funkier side, as well as stretch out over seven linked songs to tell a single story, the doomed romance between Appelwicks narrator and a free-spirited, roguish girl named Jenny. The relationship has already splintered before the first song is over, and the rest is reverie and recrimination: This is a song I wrote before that ship went down, he sings on Castaways. But bittersweet memories are still beautiful when theyre given such a gloriously glossy pop sheen.
"a feel-good, skewed pop record with the awkward eccentricity
and pop smarts of Ween and early Beck." - All Music Guide
"A most enjoyable debut from a talented new-comer." - Amplifier Magazine
"a whisper-sexy, snickering hip-hop lampoon, suggests Beck's nudge-nudge-wink-winking...minces about
like Donovan...without the stoner grin." - City Pages
"a feel-good album that is bluesy, soulful, laid-back and sensual." - Lost At Sea
"an album that is filled
to the brim with intelligent, thought provoking slowdance numbers" - Mundane Sounds
The Star Tribune included the new Vicious Vicious album in it's "Best Albums of the Year. . ." List: Vicious Vicious, "Don't Look So Surprised" -- Following the arc of a relationship from giddy to complicated to downtrodden, this personal seven-song electro-pop epic by Olympic Hopeful Erik Appelwick is like a melding of Beck's "Sea Change" and "Midnite Vulture" albums. It tackles the heartache without losing the groove. Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
The City Pages listed "Don't Look So Surprised" as one of the top 10 local releases of 2005 in it's "year in review" issue. And I quote: "As one-fifth of local favorites the Hopefuls and the producer of the next release on this list, Erik Appelwick just may have a golden touch. His second album under the Vicious Vicious moniker is great for living-room parties, in that it's got a couple of dance-floor instigators as well as plenty of chill tracks for general atmosphere. Hell, even some of the laid-back songs are hard not to move to. Although Appelwick's got a knack for summer worship, this isn't a CD that should be shelved during our seven-month winters. Dust this sunshiny album off for holiday party season." ---Lindsey Thomas
purchase DON'T LOOK SO SURPRISED and BLOOD AND CLOVER, TSHIRTS, POSTERS and more from
VICIOUS VICIOUS.com!
Hey Erik you should play another show here soon with Vicious Vicious. In my opinion there is no greater band in the cities. I like Vicious Vicious better than the Hopefuls and I like Vicious Vicious better than Tapes ..n Tapes to. Respect to Tapes ..n Tapes cause it..s awesome but Vicious Vicious rules the world. Derek
myspace is reporting you are online, but i find that hard to believe as i would give anything to put my stupid tired head back into bed. i'm glad you're back from overseas...if insomnia hits you anytime soon ring me up. i'm back on vampire hours. love.
Awesome show on 12/14 - 1st time seeing you live, but been listening to the cds for a few years now. You kick ass & thanks for putting together such a great band - Tim
Thank you! The 12/14 show was phenomenal, punchin, funky fun, even more than I hoped for. V V is the most underated treasure in music. Please keep it pumping. More, more, more!
Please play another show soon! I can't make it to the Turf Club gig on the 14th, but I've been going through withdrawls. Got the shakes and everything. Think you can swing it?
Tapes n' Tapes. Vicious Vicious. Bassist, producer, raconteur, Erik Applewick is one very busy man. He opens up to Sacre Bleu in a telling interview on the merits of modesty, the joy of producing and the phenomenal impact of the Internet on his bands. This is an audio portrait of a thoughtful and engaging artist. Erik Applewick is on the Sacre Bleu Wine Network.
Thank you for your consideration, Vicious I'm honoured to be a friend May success continue as your path My music will be up soon Stay in touch jelaci aman
i bought a copy of blood and clover(awesome work) and shake that ass didn't have the female vocals on it. What's up with that shit? those female vocals are killer. i heard that version first so when i listen to that song now it sounds incomplete. and i really like that song. but on another note, if easy livin is wrong, i don't want to be right. or maybe i'll pour another cup of coffee for an uneventful day. (favorite lines)
i've just got to say...wow...effing wow. l-o-v-ing the new album. came just in time for a 1000 mile round trip and just like the previous albums, there's no shot i could ever get tired of listening to it...you're the tits.
Dammit man, you've got to put on another show! My God, what are you thinking? You can't just produce oodles of juicy power pop gems and keep them sealed in a jar! Play Erik, play!
If I could only listen to two songs out of all the music in the world for the rest of my life they would be Lovefool and Don't let me down! (this is not a lie)
