LEWIS: ‘Where Time Went,’ Omaha band’s heartfelt, fresh rock album

Virgin Mary Pistol Grip performs at the Zoo Bar for night three of Omaha Invades on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Lincoln. Photo by Izzy Lewis.

Virgin Mary Pistol Grip is an alternative/indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. “Where Time Went” is the band’s second full-length album, released in 2024. The album was recorded and produced in Los Angeles by Bob Marlette.

The first track on the album is “Give Me A Reason.” Instantly this song defines VMPG’s vibe. The song has a light texture, with acoustic and electric guitar. The lyrics, “Give me a reason to stay here / chillin’ in the backyard / Give me a reason to say / I wanna live forever” are a little repetitive, but entirely endearing. In terms of opening tracks, “Give Me A Reason” sets the tone for the rest of the heartfelt album. 

“Dragonfly,” the second on the record, is my favorite. The intro has a rolling instrumental that gives the impression of a dragonfly bobbing along in the air. This leads to a chorus with musical hits that are dynamic. The way the tension builds throughout both with the instrumentals of this song and the lyrics is especially great.

The third track, “Hand In Hand,” calls out the title of the album in its lyrics: “I haven’t seen you since who knows when / It’s hard to remember where time went.” This song has a great energy, with its lyrics about overcoming the struggles of being together.  

I particularly like the lyricism in “Creature Of Habit.” The words paint a picture of a knight in a castle, trying to hide his pain behind his mask. The storytelling in this song is phenomenal. 

The next track, “Just A Little More Love,” is everything VMPG is all about. As the title suggests, the song calls for more love. It’s an upbeat song with some catchy shouts of “Oh, oh!” and “Yeah, yeah!” 

“Waiting On You” is next, with an energetic intro featuring guitar and handclaps. With some background synth sounds over the driving rhythm guitar and drums, this song has an excellent sound.

Another top song on the album for me was “Pink Flamingo.” This song combines every other asset I’ve appreciated, from storytelling in the first verse to fun instrumentals. The alien-esque “Take me. Take me to your leader” of the chorus adds even more to the song. 

The eighth track, “Magic Hatch” highlights lead guitar the most in the stripped-down intro. On a production level, this song best demonstrates the way VMPG songs give room to hear every instrument. Every instrument comes through clear and adds such value to the song. 

“Paint The Sky,” the second to last song, has a bouncy bassline that I liked. The chorus was catchy and the imagery in the verses was about painting colorful colors. 

The album concludes with “You Forgot Everything.” This song is a little sadder than most of the others, its lyrics alluding to a failed relationship. The end of the song features beats of rests, where the music completely stops. 

VMPG’s “Where Time Went” is the album for you if you’re looking for a mostly feel-good, fresh alternative rock album. Whether you’re a lyric or instrumental based music listener, VMPG offers the best of both worlds. 

I also highly recommend catching a live show, they provide a wonderful and interactive show even for those who have never heard their music before. I first listened to VMPG at the Omaha Invades music festival. 

VMPG’s next show is in Lincoln at Duffy’s Tavern on April 13 with Rosebay and Ash Redhorse and the Midnight Suns. Tickets are $7 and $10 for those under 21. 

Published in the Daily Nebraskan, read here.