Bay Area band Fat Opie released Victoryville back in the summer, their first full-length since 2003. The unfortunate hiatus was due to a debilitating illness that bandleader Scott Mickelson suffered with for several years.

In 2009, they released their first new single New Orleans, and signed a international distribution deal to re-release the entire catalogue. Soon after, three of the four original bandmembers (Scott Mickelson, bassist Robin Hildebrant and drummer Dave Tavel) regrouped and began performing again. In 2010, Mickelson starting writing the songs for this record.

Victoryville delivers unique glimpses of life as an American in contemporary times. The anthemic track Crying in Spanish illustrates America’s hypocritical and polarizing views of illegal immigration. The Pink Floyd-esque Monster In The Room, describes functional life living with depression. The humourous Nicorette is told from the perspective of a window washer living and working in NYC after 9/11.

Buy it here.

Download Fat Opie – Monster In The Room mp3 (from Victoryville)