The EP opens with "Submarine Number Three Vee," one of the songs that Allan Vest is revisiting. It was the lead track to The Dream That Stuff Was Made Of, the first Starlight Mints album (that title, by the way, is a play on a misreading of a line from William Shakespeare's The Tempest; Prospero says, "We are such stuff/As dreams are made on," but people remember it as "are made of"). On that album the song was listed as "Submarine #3." This is an absolutely wonderful and completely catchy song, with some delightful and unusual lyrics. Take these opening lines, for example: "You got me rollin’ around/Frog on my hand/Holy shazam/I see you on a submarine/You're the fishy queen/If you pull me apart don't swallow my heart." I like both versions of this song, but if forced to pick one, it would be this new version. I love the combination of their voices here. It's a bit longer than the original, and it features special guest Brent Williams on violin. This song was released as the EP's first single. "Diamond Thumb" is also catchy, particularly in its rhythm. If only all pop music could be this good! This music is making me happy, but there is more happening here than just its cheerful rhythm. This one also uses the word "heart" in its opening lines: "I've got a hole in my heart/A little glitter in my dreams." Another line that stands out to me each time I listen is, "Wide awake and fast asleep." Yes, it's a glorious pop dream.
"Maybe Tonight (What's Inside Of Me?)" is the other song that Allan Vest is revisiting on the EP. It was originally included on the Starlight Mints album Drowaton, which was released in 2006. On that album it was titled "Inside Of Me." "Well, I don't need your sympathy/But I could use your company/Crawl into a mystery/And I call you." This version feels fairly faithful to the original. "If I could sleep tonight," Allan sings. Oh yes, if only. "We could fall on through." What would each of us find inside our skin and bones? Sometimes I worry that it is all physical, all chemical, that there is nothing more to us than that. It's less poetic that way, isn't it? But probably the truth. Anyway, that's followed by "Modern Times," a seriously cool tune that feels fresh, yet also reminds me of some of the music I grew up loving. It seems to take inspiration from the best places. "I lost my thrill/I caught the chills/I couldn't take it any other way/Look what's behind/What would I find/I nearly slipped into the modern times." Adding to this track's great appeal is some excellent work on guitar.
The duo changes gears then with "Natural Selection," which has a smoother feel, with a jazzy vibe and a sweet aspect. Christi Wans joins the duo on trumpet for this song, delivering some really nice stuff. There is a lot to love about DoubleVee's music, and one key element is the duo's memorable and remarkable lyrics. This line in particular from "Natural Selection" stands out for me: "She brings me my reflection." The EP then concludes with "Everyone's Lonely Under The Sea," which has more of a rock sound, and features some cool work on bass. Barb sings lead on this one. "Hold your head above the water/Keep your toes out of the sand/Peel your eyes with clementines/Now it’s time to descend." This song was released as a single, and it is just completely wonderful. The idea of escaping into the deep dark blue has its appeal, particularly in these days when much of the public discourse is ugly and negative. If we can't rise above, perhaps we can sink below. But down there, while we will escape all that negative input, we'll also lose whatever might be positive in human conversation and interaction. We are completely within our own heads, especially with "Vision darkening," and it sounds like a movement toward oblivion, secrets and all.
CD Track List
- Submarine Number Three Vee
- Diamond Thumb
- Maybe Tonight (What's Inside Of Me?)
- Modern Times
- Natural Selection
- Everyone's Lonely Under The Sea
Periscope At Midnight is scheduled to be released on July 25, 2025.
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