The first indication that Archers of Loaf were priming themselves for a harder-edged version of indie rock for their second LP, Vee Vee, was the Vs. the Greatest of All Time EP. Consisting of five taut songs that rank among the best in the Archers’ catalog, Bob Weston’s production of the EP strikes a near-perfect balance with the songs by giving them a forceful, raw glare. Stray studio noise and loose threads of guitar are strewn across the disc, creating an anxious tension between the raucous release of the songs. Early on, the Archers were indie rockers fond of singing about one insular topic: indie rock. While such an indulgence can sound revolting or pretentious when delivered by less capable bands, the Archers’ passion, wit, and ingenuity endear them to any nominally adventurous fan of singalong songcraft and distorted guitars. – Bryan Carroll