Album Review: THE VACCINES - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?

This band are white hot in the UK right now with, ‘NME’ holding them in their top 50 albums of 2011 so far and writing “It’s indie rock, and The Vaccines do it better than any young British band has done in years." The acclaim has come from music gurus on this side of the pond as well with, 'Rolling Stone' placing them on their 'Band to Watch' list. 'The Vaccines' was only formed in 2010, but it’s fair to summise that they will have a couple of hits on both sides of the water in the coming year.

This, The Vaccines debut album 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' was released in the UK in March of this year and has been received with wide praise. Owning the album myself which was released in the US just yesterday (May 31st), it's an energetic and likeable album with a variety of somehow familiar sounds throughout...it is often fast and frantic with sounds of 'The Ramones', 'Sex Pistols' and 'The Clash' evident. There are also some tracks that could be mistaken for 'The Strokes' and not so much, but the vocals have a tendency to remind me of, Coldplay’s, Chris Martin (but I won’t hold that against them). The Vaccines music can best be described as laddish indie rock with moderntime parallels to, 'The Libertines', 'Ordinary Boys', 'The Courteeners' and 'The Pigeon Detectives'

The album begins at a frenetic pace with ‘Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)’ and gives us a good idea about what this band are about in this shorter than two minutes wonder of good, honest rock music. This track is very much along ‘The Ramones’ stlye.  The infusion of energy continues with ‘If You Wanna’ which kicks in with a shotgun (insk, insk, insk) drumbeat that casts my mind back to, ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor’ by, Arctic Monkeys who, The Vaccines are currently opening for on their US tour.

We are afforded a welcome break from the rough and tumble with the grungy, but addictive, 'A Lack Of Understanding' in which lead, Justin Young underlines the futility of casual relationships in a Smiths/Morriseyesque manner of delivery - “I’ve got too much time on my hands/But you don’t understand”. This tune also displays something of a, ‘Strokes’ like theme.

‘Blow It Up’ works with the simplest of materials – just three basic guitar notes which culminates in singer, Young’s straining voice on the chorus. It's kind of empty and a little uninspiring, but a passable track. We move on with, 'Wetsuit' that reminds me a little of English band, Embrace. It's a quaint track that follows the simplistic nature of the previous track.

The Vaccines songs aren’t all that deep and really aren't about much. On the rare occasion that there are more profound foundations, the subject matter is a tad uncouth. On 'Norgaard’, the subject matter is being fond of a girl who is "only seventeen so she's probably not ready”. That said, this song is very 'Ramones'/'Clash' and that I do like. Another fairly vulgar subject line with 'Post Break-Up Sex' which is a cleverly written little tune with some fantastic guitar riffs throughout. The lead man shows that he has two sides (i) lively onstage excitement and demeanour (ii) the ability to croon and woo his audience with his soulful vocals.

'Under Your Thumb' is another guitar crashing tune with a steady, yet compulsive drumbeat. Current single, 'All In White' is simple, but extremely effective in this triply track where the bands garage rock foundation is clearly evident. 'Wolf Pack' continues on the fast and furious theme and this one has me harking back to, Paul Weller and 'The Jam' of the 70's and 80's. The closer, 'Family Friend' begins slowly and sultry before exploding in to an anthemic swell to end this debut offering. 

The Vaccines serve a strong reminder that guitar music is alive and well. Young's powerful, yet somewhat monotone voice works well with, Cowan's flexible rhythms and moody keyboards. The fast beats of drummer, Robertson and solid bass by Hjörvar are huge contributions, but the energy and pace come from the lead pair. Again some similarities to the front pairing of, Doherty and, Barat of 'The Libertines' (God I wish they would reform).

I make no apologies for referencing so many like sounding bands and influences as this is part of the deal with The Vaccines. They stir many emotions and cover a variety of oddly familiar sounds...it's almost like a game. I like this debut album and would really like to see them play one of the smaller venues in the city (having seen them recently support, Arctic Monkeys at Central Park's, Rumsey Field).

A great effort from a band that has been in the business for less time than Scotty McCreery, but are hopefully around for significantly longer. Suffice to say, you will hear a lot more of 'The Vaccines' this year. Rating 7.5/10

All In White
If You Wanna