Music Monday with PLC is a weekly feature written by my husband, Pat.
Find out the back story + check out the full archives HERE .
:
The Vaccines : What Did You Expect From the Vaccines?
[photo by jennifer; review by pat]
:
I remember in college when a guy from my floor had a friend visit from back home. After that friend had shotgunned his 8th beer, he told me he was training to go to the Olympics. Every athlete has his or her own method of training, but this seemed a little unorthodox. I just imagined all the athletes in these other countries sacrificing all the practice hours and hard work, and eating nails everyday just to get themselves in top physical shape for their one chance at gold and glory. After this person passed out on the couch with a pizza on his chest, I said, “Man, your friend “Bruce Jenner” is never gonna make it to the Olympics.”
(The story is true, the names have been changed to protect the innocent.)
London is rocking, so let's see one of the things they are rocking to.
The Vaccines are a sharp, young band from West London who released a really good debut album What Did You Expect From the Vaccines? (Columbia, 2011). They have been getting a lot of love from the English press and award shows, and have been wearing the medal/noose of the “next big thing” tag. You decide for yourself and listen to their song “Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)” and be careful you don’t get dizzy -
When I look through my Romper Room magic mirror, I can see: a little bit of Blur, some Chris Martiney vocals, a little bit of Ramones-style gang choruses, and some Strokes-style phrasing and second guitars. This album is filled with tight guitar-driven pop songs, and the choruses are catchy, repetitive and perfectly rock ‘n roll simple. Also, much like Oasis, their production hits the sweet spot of having rocking guitars, but varying the layers, levels and tones just enough to keep their sound in the pocket and stylistically timeless. I am also surprised by the fact that no band has used the name “The Vaccines” before. And nice work combining that with a clever album title and art work.
Also, very nice work on the catchy song “If You Wanna” -
British guitar rock records have always been welcome in my collection,
and The Vaccines may even make it into the medal round.
- PLC
* * *
MORE:
- last week - Bee Gees
- a while back - Haim
- last season - John Mulaney
- full archive of Music Monday with PLC - HERE
