Teetering on the fringes of happycore, techno, and noise, the Baltimore duo VIDEOHIPPOS have concocted heavy pop rounds on their debut UNBEAST THE LEASH. Jubilant at points, dark at others, VIDEOHIPPOS seem to have sense of foreboding about the future. Some could point to hints of Manchester, and possibly Providence, but the end result is ultimately Baltimore City and the VIDEOHIPPOS home in the phenomenon that is Wham City (Ponytail, Ecstatic Sunshine, Dan Deacon et all).

As their name suggests VIDEOHIPPOS perform live with both audio and video. Backed by a giant white screen while performing, VIDEOHIPPOS project personal and pop culture video collages in synch with the music. Though captivating it is hard to distract from the stick skills of drummer Kevin O'meare (drums, vocals, keys) and pop weavings of guitarist Jim Triplett (guitar, vocals, keys).

Cloaked in coats of neon, flourescents, and bouts of joyous mania VIDEOHIPPOS debut UNBEAST THE LEASH at first glance would be a pop album, but after a couple listens you realize there is so much more going on here.....they are trying to warn us.