Come Of Age / The Vaccines - Album Review

'Boring, plain and nothing special'
'Probably the best we'll ever see The Vaccines'

This maybe the most anticipated second album to come out in the year of music, 2012. (Besides Two Door Cinema Club's new album 'Beacon') The Vaccines second album is one of the most talked about and needed albums of this year!

'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' was really the album to watch in 2011, with various singles 'If You Wanna'' and 'Post Break-Up Sex' winding their way onto the Radio 1 play list, it wasn't going to be long before The Vaccines needed to write another heart-racing exciting album.

Have they really bettered 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' No, but was that really possible?

For any band that had an amazing first album it's surprisingly difficult to create a second album; which sounds completely fresh and still have that edge to it. The Vaccines, to my serious disappointment haven't lived up to their name with 'Coming Of Age'.

If you're looking for an easy sing-a-long album with fluorescent lyrics; then this is really the album you need to purchase for autumn 2012. Justin Young's matured voice echoes romantically amongst Freddie Cowan and Arni Hjorver's guitar riffs. Justin's voice becomes very drone-y in places, such as in 'Lonely World', but is really brought to life with hard hitting 'Bad Mood'; sure to become a favourite of The Vaccines fans. The mood of the album constantly changes, weaving in and out on the album between slow paced head-nodding songs such as 'Aftershave Ocean' to quick jumpy tracks such as 'Change Of The Heart Pt.2'.

The singles 'No Hope' and 'Teenage Icon' are really the stand-outs on the album; the more catchier tracks on the album. Justin's writing is really shown off in these two songs making them iconic and the basis of this albums.

'I Always Knew' is very unusual and western like though. The introduction feels like you're the old time head cowboy going out on his journey to the unknown. But then the mood is lowered instantly and you're left thinking 'what is happening here' until the chorus of 'I always knew it's you' kicks in.

The Vaccines have really embraced the 'western' theme with 'All In Vein' feeling the same as a 1950's jazz band without the brass. Probably one of the weaker songs on the album though, with nothing special really standing straight in front of us on this one.

Surprisingly 'Ghost Town', a song I have personally already experienced live is a new (and good) turn for The Vaccines. A real contender on 'Norgaard' for it's simple lyrics which are also very effective.

To say this album is worth the wait would not be right; being an avid The Vaccines fan, I am more than disappointed with their work on this was-to-be amazing album! The Vaccines have changed, and sadly it isn't for the best.

Coming Of Age is out to download on iTunes and buy in all good record dealers
But if you're after what The Vaccines are really all about purchase 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?'

Everything Everything / Cough Cough - Single Review

Everything Everything? WHAT?

You've heard the same words floating around the music scene for a while, you've seen reviews but haven't ever gave the quartet a second thought and you've never bothered to type the same two words into YouTube have you? Well stop avoiding it; it's inevitable... You are going to adore this band!

'Cough Cough' (also a repetition) is the brand new single to be released by Art Rockers Everything Everything. The opening sequence of a chorus of 'Cough Cough's' grabs the song by the antlers and pushes it into a direction of mystery and excitement. Que the beating of drums as large as the quartet and you're on to a winner.

There is something about this new sound that I can't put my hands on. It isn't the usual Everything Everything; it's no My KZ, UR BF or no Qwerty Finger. It's something new and fresh, and just like indie rock band The Vaccines: it's mature. Robertshaw's song writting skills have been kicked up a knotch and into sheer brilliance.

Johnathan Higgs' voice remains magical and sound through out 'Cough Cough'. His high pitched notes (no man would ever dream of reaching) grasp inside of you and fill you up, making your body move to the sound of his vocals. It's very rare you get such a man with a powerful high voice, that is still so lovely to listen to.

If you're going to say that 'Cough Cough' sums Everything Everything up: then you would be wrong. 'Cough Cough' is a feeling. As the lyrics describe what song it is; in my opinion it's a way to forget. 'sold your liver but you're still feeling the red, sold my feelings now I'm hanging by a thread'. The song entices you into a sleepy chant to the sound of pounding drums. You work, you play, you smoke, you get payed. You work and you play and you smoke and you get payed.

It's been exactly two years (August 30th) since Everything Everything's debut album 'Man Alive' was realeased on Geffen, and what an amazing two years this band have had! Winning The Times Breakthrough Act in 2011, preforming at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Carlisle and supporting Snow Patrol on their arena tour of the UK. Now Everything Everything are back and they're bigger than ever with new single 'Cough Cough'.

Could 'Could Cough' be the new sound of Everything Everything? Could this change the game and lob them into complete mainstream success? No, but it is a starting point. If the new album is anything like the sound of 'Cough Cough' then non-fans of the band, and new fans will instantly fall in love with what the new album 'Arc' has to offer. But for the already adoring fans of Everything Everything they will have to step back and look at the gold that will soon be appearing in their pockets.

It's clear to say that the song is beautifully worked though. The mystically enhanced vocals do draw you in to the song and make you feel involved in the drums, the pounding guitars and swimming with the backing vocals. It's a heavy contender for the new wave of music that is soon going to appear on the shelfs on HMV.

'Cough Cough' is available now to download and purchase from iTunes
Everything Everything's new album 'Arc' is available to pre-order right now for the release date of 14th January 2013.

'Cough Cough' official video:
http://www.youtube.com/user/evrythngevrythngvevo?v=cjKcmZGhUrQ



 

The Vaccines / Teenage Icon - Single Review

'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' definitely not having a debut album peaking at number 4, various main stage preformances at huge festivals and a follow up single that would blow the four London lads out of the water. No, we really didn't expect THIS from The Vaccines.


There were always going to be doubts about the second album. Will it be different? Will it be the same? Will it have a song longer that 2 minutes on it? The answers are yes, no and suprisingly so! We've had two tasters of what The Vaccines have been working on while touring; hard hitting and fresh 'No Hope' and now we have 'Teenage Icon'.

'Teenage Icon' is the second single to be released from brand-spanking-new album 'Coming Of Age'. Fresh off the press on Monday 3rd of September. Avid The Vaccines fans have had this date circled for weeks and we're finnaly going to be able to hear the masterpiece that will become the record of the year.

So what does 'Teenage Icon' hold for The Vaccines fans? First off; it's a 3:41 minute long video for the song set in an elevator, keeping listeners watching and moving for more than a minute. It's new, it's bouncy, it's catchy. It isn't The Vaccines usual sound but it's something everybody has been waiting for to arise from Justin Young's song book. It's mauturity; a statement of some sort.

Gone are the days of Justin Young's sleek and styled hair-cut, his unprofessionalism of amazement when people ACTUALLY knew the words to the songs he had written. New and improved in double-denim his lyrics bounce of the walls of the brain. 'I'm no teenage icon, I'm no Frankie Avalon, I'm nobody's hero'. He's relating to teenagers all around the world. The 'nerds' the 'geeks' the ones who aren't 'anybody' popular. He's saying what teenagers are thinking 'Oh look at me, so ordinary, no mystery', he was a nobody.

'Teenage Icon' really puts a mark on what The Vaccines now are. In 2010 they were playing their first gig in a venue in Leicester and now they're main stage material at festivals such as T In The Park and Reading & Leeds. They've rose against the odds and became 'somebody'. 'Teenage Icon' is easily the best written song The Vaccines have preformed. It means something to the adoring pubic and it setting a new wave of genre for the fantastic four.

'Teenage Icon' is out Monday 3rd of September to purchase on iTunes and in store
'Coming Of Age' the second anticipated album by The Vaccines is also out in stores and on iTunes on Monday 3rd September.

Be sure to catch The Vaccines at their headline tour this November at various venues around the country.

Teenage Icon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFUKrsDDChE
No Hope: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_3eEPpmKwE

Chvrches / Lies - Single Review

 

The hottest new indie / electro band and their debut single

We knew it wasn't going to be long before the hype for Glaswegian-trio 'Chvrches' hit, broke, and rocketed out of the roof, Featured in NME's David Bowie Anniversary Special magazine, masterminds behind the cool electronic sound of 'Lies' the entire Internet is completely buzzing about, are three, soon to be, Glasgow giants! Martin Doherty, off of Twilight Sad, Ian Cook from The Unwinding Hours and vocals on the viral track tragically sang by the beautiful Lauren Mayberry. Chvrches only have one song to their name, but seriously it's one of the most amazing sounds I have listened to this year!

In the trio's first electronically enhanced song 'Lies', various qualities of The Unwinding Hours and Twilight Sad can be heard, influencing the flow of this beautiful song. These elements can be heard, meshed together with a sharp-cutting, exciting edge which leaves you craving more of the trio's sound.

Happiness also plays a huge part in the sound provided, which is why Chvrches are so different and edgy to other bands. The up-lifting beat gives off a strange feel, making you begin to smile, dance and shoe gaze - without really grasping the meaning of the lyrics being echoed. 'Lies' has been beautifully engineered to suit the qualities that all three to-be-music-giants have to offer, bringing out the best possibilities in all of them.

The song starts off with a haze of mystery and excitement, before bouncing off the walls with a cool, refreshing, synthesised beat that jumps in immediately. Lovers of SBTRKT Ft. Little Dragon's 'Wildfire', will instantly be hooked to the jangly notes and synthesised beats the trio create. You can tell from the track that masses of time, thought and effort have been pressed into the 3:41 masterpiece. Effortlessly switching from beat to beat with flawless ease, the upbeat track draws you into a world of colours and noise, creating vital images that swim around in your head.

The excitement builds throughout the song, but doesn't reach it's peak until late on in the song. For some this will be a good thing, keeping them developed in the music and embedding their understanding of what 'Lies' is all about. But for others the height of excitement will come to late and too slow, having them lost interest in the track and magical vocals.

The lyrics kick in little after the 26 second long introduction. One of the things I love the most about music is the long and winding intro which gets you begging for the lyrics. But in 'Lies', 'Chvrches' intro doesn't do the song justice for me. The introduction could of been slightly more thought out and planned longer, to get the audience hyped and excited to the extreme. If the introduction was slightly longer, the lyrics that fall into place after it, would be more strong and uplifting; in my opinion. It just lacks that one note that changes everything when you're shoe gazing in the club, to you bouncing off of the dance floor.

The lyrics that are spun are catchy and simply written, yet give off a strong meaning of depth and complexity to the song. The way Mayberry's haunting voice bounces each and every word off each other is fantastic, and really makes the listener listen and relate to what she is babbling about. For no reason whatsoever; her beautifully tragic voice makes you smile and move. Colours appear from her voice and spin images in your brain. "Faster, faster, you'll go far" is an example of an easily simple, yet connective lyric, that sets the mood for the danger arising in the rest of the song. The lyrics echo around the room from Mayberry's riveting and magical voice. "I can feel your dirty knife / like I know what you want"

'Lies' is the first of many songs that we'll see from Churches for sure, but this hard-hitting mainstream hit may be the favourite among future Churches fans. 'Lies' has already gone global, with over 19,000 views of the song in the last 3 months, on youtube alone! Keep an eye on Chvrches as their debut album will be on the streets in 2013.

 Be sure to check out Churches on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/churchestheband
 Buy 'Lies' on Soundcloud http://soundcloud.com/churchestheband