VSEC - Forever Delayed

junkymotown · #1 07-10-2013, 11:21

Just been reading up on this song... found a review that says the following:

Quote:

"I’m not sure anyone expected a song with that name or the lyrics we were given beforehand ... to be so damn giddy and upbeat."

"Virginia State Epileptic Colony is pure upbeat jangle pop. It’s even downright goofy and tongue-in-cheek. As if to contrast the lyric completely, the band has decided to just take the piss out of its seriousness and turn it into a silly little torchsong."

Is it just me that finds this song reaaaally dark? Lyrics aside, there's something really melancholy about the melody and guitar parts. Something almost final and regisned.

Then obviously the lyrics are bleak.

It's one of those Manics songs that actually makes me feel a little melancholy myself when I listen to it... in a good way, I suppose.

Just wondered what people's thoughts were.

Son of Stopped · #2 07-10-2013, 11:29

I can't see the torchsong, but it's one of my favourites. Sometimes I'll listen from this track first before playing JFPL in full.
Plus, although I have a slight understanding of satire and sarcasm, I think it's quite genuine sounding.
I can understand their decision not to release any singles from the album, but I think if VSEC was the lead or second single, it would have made Mondeo Man forget that they said they didn't want them as fans!

MonkeyGeorge94 · #3 07-10-2013, 13:30

James has said that musically he tried to make it sound like some of 'lighter moments' of Wire, think Ex Lion Tamer etc.

VSEC sounds 'poppy' but subverts that with dark lyrics. Like Wire did. I think James said Outdoor Miner was the inspiration for VSEC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83fpEaEET7k

Can hear the comparison!

tzb · #4 07-10-2013, 13:53

I think the only dark melodic moment is that slightly discordant closing chord, that also plays after the choruses... it suggests a little menace beneath the happier than happy tune. I love the song and I love the contrast between the music and the lyrics.

PaulTMA · #5 07-10-2013, 15:13

Excellent song and the best on JFPL. The pre-chorus is particular stands out as one of the best ever MSP moments.

beautifuldistortion · #6 07-10-2013, 20:14

Does the word 'Piggy' refer to the 'inmates/patients' being guinea pigs? Or something else?!

Nature's Discontent · #7 07-10-2013, 20:22

I've always thought the rather light, jangly sound of the music contrasting with the dark lyrics gives the song a much darker edge than it would have if the band were just replicating the sound of - say - All Is Vanity on top of the words. It gives it a false sense of 'everything is fine' when it clearly isn't.

tzb · #8 07-10-2013, 20:34

And that fits with the details of the case I assume the song is about... that it was all deemed legal and done "in the best interests of society" -happy happy - and was actually deeply wrong and morally indefensible and completely dark.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beautifuldistortion

Does the word 'Piggy' refer to the 'inmates/patients' being guinea pigs? Or something else?!

I always took it as a comment on eugenics like those practised at the VSEC and how they devalue/degrade humans to the level of livestock. There's also the relation of the words PIG and PIGGY to the Manson murders... no direct link but there's a similar devaluing of human life at work there.

junkymotown · #9 07-10-2013, 21:08

some great opinions about this song... I absolutely love it.
and it's more or less completely as the JPFL original lyrics had it down. no butchering or editing needed.

Hans · #10 08-10-2013, 01:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by beautifuldistortion

Does the word 'Piggy' refer to the 'inmates/patients' being guinea pigs? Or something else?!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_of_the_Flies#Piggy

?