Post by larry emdur is my hero! on Jul 17, 2002 19:55:18 GMT 10
Although many shall pretend to care, what an album sounds like matters little these days. The majority of people who listen to music are not looking for a solid album of tunes, these hip cats want something to make them look and feel cool. Just take a look at the sucsess of The Strokes & The White Stripes! So despite the fact the Vines have produced such a fine debut record, one that makes for an interesting and varied listen, it is one that I feel is ultimatley unrewarding. Unrewarding when compared to the other saviours of rock that have come our way in recent times.
My first criticism lies with the title track - Highly Evolved. Sure it’s catchy, sure its sleazy, sure its 90 seconds of pure rock, but there in lies the problem. What chance is there of anyone hearing me listen to a track that only goes for a minute and a half? No matter how loud I turn my up stereo, the chances of someone commenting on my how cool my music tastes are before the next track ticks over are pretty slim. That leaves me no time to fire back the impressive reply of “yeah they’re okay”, then state a list of their so called “influences” which I feel are far superior. The Vines have provided me no opportunity to impress with my knowledge of musical acts I really no nothing about, and have denied my peers the opportunity to agree despite not knowing who the hell I’m talking about. Furthermore the toe tappin Outtathaway poses problems for those in the mood for, well, posing. When I’m decked out in mod style suite and tie, an outfit that took me hours to re-create from that photo of my Dad in the 60s, the last thing I need is a track I want to nod my head to. The thumping beat and garage rock guitars proves too good to resist. I spent a long time (and money) getting my hair styled this way, Outtathaway makes that money a waste. 1969 is an improvement. I cant actually remember what the track sounds like, but the title of the song is cool. I like to say it over and over again untill i get so excited I forget what year I'm in. 1969, 1969, 1969. Furthermore current single "Get Free" sounds a little like Nirvana. This earns The Vines points as it allows me and my fellow critics to dismiss the band as simply a recreation of Nirvana. But don’t get those flannel shirts and Soundgarden concert tickets out of the closet just yet, these boys are definantly not one trick Ponies. In fact the Vines are the masters of many tricks, and from what I can gather aren’t actually ponies at all (or at least they are ponies that do a damn good human impression). Shock horror, piano and acoustic guitars make their presence felt on some tracks, which range from the flat out rockers, to the cruisy Autumn Shade and angst filled Homesick. Many have labelled some of their tunes almost "Beatle-esque". Personally I cant hear it, but who am I to disagree with the majority?
Whilst being a good debut album, The Vines "Highly Evolved" didn't make me feel any cooler then I did before. And isn't that what we're all looking in a record these days?
My first criticism lies with the title track - Highly Evolved. Sure it’s catchy, sure its sleazy, sure its 90 seconds of pure rock, but there in lies the problem. What chance is there of anyone hearing me listen to a track that only goes for a minute and a half? No matter how loud I turn my up stereo, the chances of someone commenting on my how cool my music tastes are before the next track ticks over are pretty slim. That leaves me no time to fire back the impressive reply of “yeah they’re okay”, then state a list of their so called “influences” which I feel are far superior. The Vines have provided me no opportunity to impress with my knowledge of musical acts I really no nothing about, and have denied my peers the opportunity to agree despite not knowing who the hell I’m talking about. Furthermore the toe tappin Outtathaway poses problems for those in the mood for, well, posing. When I’m decked out in mod style suite and tie, an outfit that took me hours to re-create from that photo of my Dad in the 60s, the last thing I need is a track I want to nod my head to. The thumping beat and garage rock guitars proves too good to resist. I spent a long time (and money) getting my hair styled this way, Outtathaway makes that money a waste. 1969 is an improvement. I cant actually remember what the track sounds like, but the title of the song is cool. I like to say it over and over again untill i get so excited I forget what year I'm in. 1969, 1969, 1969. Furthermore current single "Get Free" sounds a little like Nirvana. This earns The Vines points as it allows me and my fellow critics to dismiss the band as simply a recreation of Nirvana. But don’t get those flannel shirts and Soundgarden concert tickets out of the closet just yet, these boys are definantly not one trick Ponies. In fact the Vines are the masters of many tricks, and from what I can gather aren’t actually ponies at all (or at least they are ponies that do a damn good human impression). Shock horror, piano and acoustic guitars make their presence felt on some tracks, which range from the flat out rockers, to the cruisy Autumn Shade and angst filled Homesick. Many have labelled some of their tunes almost "Beatle-esque". Personally I cant hear it, but who am I to disagree with the majority?
Whilst being a good debut album, The Vines "Highly Evolved" didn't make me feel any cooler then I did before. And isn't that what we're all looking in a record these days?
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