I think all that needs to be said here is that The Vaccines are just starting out, and that this list is still only representative of a small amount of output - to be fair, I think there's a lot more material to come and it's very exciting stuff indeed; the guys have changed the face of indie music and made a distinct mainstream impression despite their lack of very successful chart performance. The guitars sound great and I love the dry lyrics.
So without further ado, and without giving too much away, here are The Vaccines in all their deserving glory (so far)...
So without further ado, and without giving too much away, here are The Vaccines in all their deserving glory (so far)...
"No Hope" (4:06) (2012)
(Single from album, "Come Of Age")
I thought this was a weak single at first and, in comparison to the band's other releases, it certainly isn't the best, but the instrumentation on this record is impossible to ignore, even if the vocal is slightly annoyingly at the forefront of the production aesthetic. As with "Nørgaard" and "Teenage Icon" the whole song has a bounding, jumpy feel and the lead is quite spiky, with it's harsh tip dipped in sounds of creamy crunch. The vocal line is interesting as well, winding between energetic and what sounds like 'truly knackered'. And, actually, the lyrics are alright - typically angsty and teenage - if anything, this track epitomises the band's sound and approach to songwriting. I also love the cover art; meeting the standard of art from album #1 would've been hard anyway, as those retro Columbia sleeves were pretty damn eye-catching. That said, I think that the dumbfounded adolescent stares of this series are brilliantly arty and attitudinal, which comes across nicely in the black and white video.
(Single from album, "Come Of Age")
I thought this was a weak single at first and, in comparison to the band's other releases, it certainly isn't the best, but the instrumentation on this record is impossible to ignore, even if the vocal is slightly annoyingly at the forefront of the production aesthetic. As with "Nørgaard" and "Teenage Icon" the whole song has a bounding, jumpy feel and the lead is quite spiky, with it's harsh tip dipped in sounds of creamy crunch. The vocal line is interesting as well, winding between energetic and what sounds like 'truly knackered'. And, actually, the lyrics are alright - typically angsty and teenage - if anything, this track epitomises the band's sound and approach to songwriting. I also love the cover art; meeting the standard of art from album #1 would've been hard anyway, as those retro Columbia sleeves were pretty damn eye-catching. That said, I think that the dumbfounded adolescent stares of this series are brilliantly arty and attitudinal, which comes across nicely in the black and white video.
"If You Wanna" (3:02) (2011)
(Single from album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?")
Undoubtedly, the indie anthem of the last few years, "If You Wanna" is loud, jubilant, bouncy, bold and also, starts a rather nice single sleeve trend for the remainder of songs released from the band's punchily titled debut album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?". Over in a mere 3 minutes and 2 seconds, "If You Wanna" has a chasmic, stadium-like, reverb-ridden sound, with a jittery bass-line and ecstatic, punk drums. It's like an illegally e-number-rammed energy drink embodied as a 7" record - it's crazy and wild and jumpy and I'm getting pretty damn excited just writing this and thinking about it. How this rollocking number only managed #35 on the UK singles chart, astounds me when it's so head and shoulders above its bland, predictable contemporaries. This song, noteworthily, sounds superior when played live; the galloping din is captured that much better by the visual of the band members leaping around the stage whilst giving the music their absolute all...
(Single from album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?")
Undoubtedly, the indie anthem of the last few years, "If You Wanna" is loud, jubilant, bouncy, bold and also, starts a rather nice single sleeve trend for the remainder of songs released from the band's punchily titled debut album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?". Over in a mere 3 minutes and 2 seconds, "If You Wanna" has a chasmic, stadium-like, reverb-ridden sound, with a jittery bass-line and ecstatic, punk drums. It's like an illegally e-number-rammed energy drink embodied as a 7" record - it's crazy and wild and jumpy and I'm getting pretty damn excited just writing this and thinking about it. How this rollocking number only managed #35 on the UK singles chart, astounds me when it's so head and shoulders above its bland, predictable contemporaries. This song, noteworthily, sounds superior when played live; the galloping din is captured that much better by the visual of the band members leaping around the stage whilst giving the music their absolute all...
"Melody Calling" (2:58) (2013)
(Track from EP, "Melody Calling" (2013)
The latest release from the band, this track had yet to be officially released at the time of writing. It's got a bizarre sound, one that sounds quite sketchy and raw and one that is certainly of an acquired taste, showcasing a hazier, exotic guitar 'noise' - almost ethereal, but not quite, as a crunchy electric guitar noodling at roughly the 2 minute mark will remind you when listening. The lyrics aren't phenomenal, but the layering of vocal tracks earns the song a place on this list just for it's innovative blurriness. It's also interesting as a pointer for the direction of the band after two albums of straight-up indie rock. From the quaffing reverberations of the introductory surf shreds to the spaced out drums that permeate the airwaves throughout, this is an interesting track to say the least, and old fashioned to a degree that fails to compromise its releveance; only assure its style. The band has also returned to the original cover trend (in a way), with the retro Columbia banner appearing in the corner - nice...
(Track from EP, "Melody Calling" (2013)
The latest release from the band, this track had yet to be officially released at the time of writing. It's got a bizarre sound, one that sounds quite sketchy and raw and one that is certainly of an acquired taste, showcasing a hazier, exotic guitar 'noise' - almost ethereal, but not quite, as a crunchy electric guitar noodling at roughly the 2 minute mark will remind you when listening. The lyrics aren't phenomenal, but the layering of vocal tracks earns the song a place on this list just for it's innovative blurriness. It's also interesting as a pointer for the direction of the band after two albums of straight-up indie rock. From the quaffing reverberations of the introductory surf shreds to the spaced out drums that permeate the airwaves throughout, this is an interesting track to say the least, and old fashioned to a degree that fails to compromise its releveance; only assure its style. The band has also returned to the original cover trend (in a way), with the retro Columbia banner appearing in the corner - nice...
"Teenage Icon" (3:05) (2012)
(Single from album, "Come Of Age")
This, the second single from "Come Of Age", The Vaccines' second album in as many years, is a rockabilly romp, bouncy and littered with cute lyrical phrases, my own personal favourite being 'I'm no teenage icon, I'm no Frankie Avalon', which, in combination with the self-damning deprecations of the narrative's age group, paints both a bleak, wonderfully cynical picture and also outgoing picture. The lead guitar has this great, churned up crackly sound and the verse goes into this superb chord change before launching into the chorus, as previously quoted. By the solo, the chugging rhythm section is at breaking point, finally beaten into the backdrop by the swerving lead, which ducks and dives all over the song for about 20 seconds, taking a harmonious approach akin to the solo in Green Day's "Sweet 16". Again, I really like the sleeve; the angsty looking kids on these covers, supposedly child doppelgängers for the band members are spooky. Again, an unsurprisingly unfair chart placing...
(Single from album, "Come Of Age")
This, the second single from "Come Of Age", The Vaccines' second album in as many years, is a rockabilly romp, bouncy and littered with cute lyrical phrases, my own personal favourite being 'I'm no teenage icon, I'm no Frankie Avalon', which, in combination with the self-damning deprecations of the narrative's age group, paints both a bleak, wonderfully cynical picture and also outgoing picture. The lead guitar has this great, churned up crackly sound and the verse goes into this superb chord change before launching into the chorus, as previously quoted. By the solo, the chugging rhythm section is at breaking point, finally beaten into the backdrop by the swerving lead, which ducks and dives all over the song for about 20 seconds, taking a harmonious approach akin to the solo in Green Day's "Sweet 16". Again, I really like the sleeve; the angsty looking kids on these covers, supposedly child doppelgängers for the band members are spooky. Again, an unsurprisingly unfair chart placing...
"I Always Knew" (3:34) (2013)
(Single from album, "Come Of Age")
Graced once more with a great sleeve and opening with a very '50s, Joe Meek-esque, crunchy rock 'n' roll style riff that sounds as though it lept straight from Elton John's "Crocodile Rock", the single greatest aspect of this sub-chart contemporary pop wonder is it's varied drumming. There's a powerful galloping feel, and as the hi-hats begin shimmering at 0:50, accompanied by a satisfying chord change, there's a feel to this track that one can liken to The Tornados' "Telstar". It's a very wholesomely retro sound. The fullness of the drumming changes again for the second chorus, and again during the middle-eight section as the guitars take on an early-synthesiser style voice, resuming a gallant and headstrong pace. It's proper rock 'n' roll; loud, exuberant and tirelessly colourful with the Nirvana-like tracing by guitar of the vocal. On its failure to chart, one might argue that music aficionados have simply changed, but it's probably more sensible to suggest that music aficionados aren't the ones dictating the charts nowadays...
(Single from album, "Come Of Age")
Graced once more with a great sleeve and opening with a very '50s, Joe Meek-esque, crunchy rock 'n' roll style riff that sounds as though it lept straight from Elton John's "Crocodile Rock", the single greatest aspect of this sub-chart contemporary pop wonder is it's varied drumming. There's a powerful galloping feel, and as the hi-hats begin shimmering at 0:50, accompanied by a satisfying chord change, there's a feel to this track that one can liken to The Tornados' "Telstar". It's a very wholesomely retro sound. The fullness of the drumming changes again for the second chorus, and again during the middle-eight section as the guitars take on an early-synthesiser style voice, resuming a gallant and headstrong pace. It's proper rock 'n' roll; loud, exuberant and tirelessly colourful with the Nirvana-like tracing by guitar of the vocal. On its failure to chart, one might argue that music aficionados have simply changed, but it's probably more sensible to suggest that music aficionados aren't the ones dictating the charts nowadays...
"Wetsuit" (3:55) (2011)
(Single from album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?")
Accompanied by the world's first crowd sourced Instragram music video, this single, sold as a double A-side package with lesser known/loved track "Tiger Blood", is a truly wonderful thing to behold; gracious, plodding pop perfection, to say the very least. The song's gracious thump rolls alongside a brilliantly humble lyric, initially mourning the passing of childhood, but later, inviting the words' subject to 'put a t-shirt on' and 'do [the vocalist] wrong'. There's also a bouncing organ in the background, gently and buoyantly accompanying the more brash lead parts throughout the track, so appropriately representing the flotsam of emotions that sway so careless and free throughout the lyric. The sleeve is another nice twist on the classic Columbia records design, and the song itself has a remarkably anthemic and legendary quality even though it's only been around a short while; after hearing it once, the sing-along chorus of 'put a wetsuit on, come on, come on' will surely stick.
(Single from album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?")
Accompanied by the world's first crowd sourced Instragram music video, this single, sold as a double A-side package with lesser known/loved track "Tiger Blood", is a truly wonderful thing to behold; gracious, plodding pop perfection, to say the very least. The song's gracious thump rolls alongside a brilliantly humble lyric, initially mourning the passing of childhood, but later, inviting the words' subject to 'put a t-shirt on' and 'do [the vocalist] wrong'. There's also a bouncing organ in the background, gently and buoyantly accompanying the more brash lead parts throughout the track, so appropriately representing the flotsam of emotions that sway so careless and free throughout the lyric. The sleeve is another nice twist on the classic Columbia records design, and the song itself has a remarkably anthemic and legendary quality even though it's only been around a short while; after hearing it once, the sing-along chorus of 'put a wetsuit on, come on, come on' will surely stick.
"Post Break-Up Sex" (2:56) (2011)
(Single from album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?")
My first exposure to the band came as a result of hearing this single; it's their first charting effort in the UK, and it's damn phenomenal. The vocal, Justin Young's snarliest and most bitter and alternative rock, rips through your unsuspecting senses from 0:00 and straight away, you're in the midst of the vibrant, tremolo wobbling, indie action. I love the guitars, raw and rolling, and the lyrical concept is acute in it's odd relation to the fumblings, misguided truths, and anxieties of young romance; the narrative speaks from the heart on the topic of supposedly real relationships and it seems both grittily and realistic in it's forward, sexual nature but also like a cheesy musical cliche in it's suave vocal phrasing and guitar riddled finish, reinforced by both the work of a wordsmith with the abrasive 'fucking in the nearest room' and that of a proper singer and the execution of 'when you love somebody but you find someone' later on...
(Single from album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?")
My first exposure to the band came as a result of hearing this single; it's their first charting effort in the UK, and it's damn phenomenal. The vocal, Justin Young's snarliest and most bitter and alternative rock, rips through your unsuspecting senses from 0:00 and straight away, you're in the midst of the vibrant, tremolo wobbling, indie action. I love the guitars, raw and rolling, and the lyrical concept is acute in it's odd relation to the fumblings, misguided truths, and anxieties of young romance; the narrative speaks from the heart on the topic of supposedly real relationships and it seems both grittily and realistic in it's forward, sexual nature but also like a cheesy musical cliche in it's suave vocal phrasing and guitar riddled finish, reinforced by both the work of a wordsmith with the abrasive 'fucking in the nearest room' and that of a proper singer and the execution of 'when you love somebody but you find someone' later on...
"All In White" (4:35) (2011)
(Single from album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?")
The atmospherics on this track alone nearly got it to #1 on this list. A synthesiser wind blows for the first 10 seconds, before a trebly bass-line wanders in, dancing skittishly behind a superb vocal melody. At 0:45, the rest of the harsh, guitar edge kicks in, accompanied by crashing drums, which really get going after 1:37, as the song storms, headfirst into rock territory. The whole track has this building, crescendo style sonic and resembles the cacophony and intense chaos of a rising storm, finally finishing as it started, gentle and moody; the concept of relationships is nicely shown by way of this sonic metaphor. As a bass player, I can confirm that this is one gorgeous bass-line to play, simple but effective and subsequently what a Pixies Kim Deal bass-line might sound like if sped up. The lyrics are, as ever, romantic and pretentious in their dark and pitiful reflection on love and are sung with a biting resentment - very moody indeed...
(Single from album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?")
The atmospherics on this track alone nearly got it to #1 on this list. A synthesiser wind blows for the first 10 seconds, before a trebly bass-line wanders in, dancing skittishly behind a superb vocal melody. At 0:45, the rest of the harsh, guitar edge kicks in, accompanied by crashing drums, which really get going after 1:37, as the song storms, headfirst into rock territory. The whole track has this building, crescendo style sonic and resembles the cacophony and intense chaos of a rising storm, finally finishing as it started, gentle and moody; the concept of relationships is nicely shown by way of this sonic metaphor. As a bass player, I can confirm that this is one gorgeous bass-line to play, simple but effective and subsequently what a Pixies Kim Deal bass-line might sound like if sped up. The lyrics are, as ever, romantic and pretentious in their dark and pitiful reflection on love and are sung with a biting resentment - very moody indeed...
"Nørgaard" (1:40) (2011)
(Single from album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?")
At only just over 1 minute and a half, "Nørgaard" is a sensationally short burst of post-punk genius, similar, in many ways, to the abrasive, sensually shocking nature of a punch in the face. Based lyrically on Scandinavian model Amanda Nørgaard, the track's got an energetic, sporty (and slightly risqué) video, a bouncy and hyper guitar sound and an emotionally and sexually psychical lyrics; from 'smaller tits and skinny framework, tall sharp hips and you're all in the same work' to the refrain of, 'she's only seventeen, so she's probably not ready', the song doesn't easily lose it's edge, constantly making the inappropriate teenage remarks its jumpy aesthetic should. It's the ultimate, punk, stalker-love song, and it's energy, both literary and sonic, are second to none; a placing of #84 in the UK charts is testament to it's indie genius. May The Vaccines continue to attack us with abrasive, sub-2 minute cannonballs of sound, for years to come; this is great, and maybe even the best song of 2011...
(Single from album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?")
At only just over 1 minute and a half, "Nørgaard" is a sensationally short burst of post-punk genius, similar, in many ways, to the abrasive, sensually shocking nature of a punch in the face. Based lyrically on Scandinavian model Amanda Nørgaard, the track's got an energetic, sporty (and slightly risqué) video, a bouncy and hyper guitar sound and an emotionally and sexually psychical lyrics; from 'smaller tits and skinny framework, tall sharp hips and you're all in the same work' to the refrain of, 'she's only seventeen, so she's probably not ready', the song doesn't easily lose it's edge, constantly making the inappropriate teenage remarks its jumpy aesthetic should. It's the ultimate, punk, stalker-love song, and it's energy, both literary and sonic, are second to none; a placing of #84 in the UK charts is testament to it's indie genius. May The Vaccines continue to attack us with abrasive, sub-2 minute cannonballs of sound, for years to come; this is great, and maybe even the best song of 2011...
"A Lack Of Understanding" (3:00) (2011)
(Track from album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?")
From the opening squelch of the bass to the foray of wavy guitar chords that flutter by immediately afterward, the band's charm and style are most prevalent here on this, the only humble album track to make this countdown (though that partly has something to do with the fact that so many singles were released from each of their two albums). The lyrics are typically contemplative and melancholic and, interestingly, retain the same kind of pointed delivery that characterises "Post Break-Up Sex" - what makes it any better than the latter is that rollocking instrumentation, and the fact that in a succinct 3 minutes exactly, the emotion rides higher and the sound stays more fresh. There's also a wonderfully different, though very brief, middle-eight carrying with it one of Justin Young's best lines; 'is this everything you ever hoped it would be? We'll see..." as the track drops abruptly to oblivion. Another thing - that perfect bass-line; I'm a sucker for a funky undertone, and this has it...
(Track from album, "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?")
From the opening squelch of the bass to the foray of wavy guitar chords that flutter by immediately afterward, the band's charm and style are most prevalent here on this, the only humble album track to make this countdown (though that partly has something to do with the fact that so many singles were released from each of their two albums). The lyrics are typically contemplative and melancholic and, interestingly, retain the same kind of pointed delivery that characterises "Post Break-Up Sex" - what makes it any better than the latter is that rollocking instrumentation, and the fact that in a succinct 3 minutes exactly, the emotion rides higher and the sound stays more fresh. There's also a wonderfully different, though very brief, middle-eight carrying with it one of Justin Young's best lines; 'is this everything you ever hoped it would be? We'll see..." as the track drops abruptly to oblivion. Another thing - that perfect bass-line; I'm a sucker for a funky undertone, and this has it...