The Vaccines "Combat Sports" (2018)

Combat Sports
release date: Mar. 30, 2018
format: digital (11 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,18]
producer: Ross Orton
label: Columbia Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Put It on a T-Shirt" (live session) - 2. "I Can't Quit" - 3. "Your Love Is My Favourite Band" (live session) - 4. "Surfing in the Sky"

4th studio album by The Vaccines, who has changed its line-up since the successor English Graffiti (2015). Drummer Pete Robertson left the band in June 2016 and was subsequently replaced by Yoann Intonti - initially, only to full-fill live concert obligations but when the band initiated studio work on the new album, they announced that not only had Intonti become a steady member, but also touring keyboardist Timothy Lanham had by now been included in the band.

Musically, there's not much progression since the debut in 2011. The Vaccines play 'power pop' and 'indie pop' in the lighter end of 'alt. rock', and they base most of their songs on memorable hooks and quick chorus-lines. In that respect, the album doesn't provide us with anything new. Yeah, they play well, they compose their songs within their sphere, but frankly, it's becoming increasingly harder to distinguish their albums from one another - and a wee bit tedious. Several tracks sound like spin-offs or new versions of familiar songs making it a bit annoying.

"A new album by The Vaccines, you say?... Yeah, well, I dunno... It doesn't really ring any bells."

People may play it at a party and no one really pay any attention, wonders or asks for more. So what's the point if they just reproduce the formula note by note? Let's say, they'll try this a fifth time... I will not bother but for now, I concede this only above 3, but please, guys, don't drag us through the same one more time...

Not recommended.

[ allmusic.com 3 / 5, NME, The Guardian 4 / 5 stars ]

The Vaccines "Come of Age" (2012)

Come of Age
release date: Sep. 3, 2012
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,60]
producer: Ethan Johns
label: Columbia Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "No Hope" - 2. "I Always Knew" - 3. "Teenage Icon" (4 / 5) (live) - 4. "All in Vein" - 7. "Weirdo" - 9. "Change of Heart, Pt. 2"

2nd full-length studio album by The Vaccines is a fine and somewhat overlooked follow-up to the extremely over-hyped debut.

The band deliver simple indie pop / garage rock, which makes me think of the band as an American version of Arctic Monkeys, but wait a sec.., The Vaccines are from London, England, UK! Lead vocalist Justin Young only has that thing for American tone. Oh well, anyway, the band leaves out the artistic neo-psychedelia inspiration and spit out chorus-fuelled punches one after the other. They must be a great live (party) band. The songs may not be suited for heavy lyrical analysis and interpretation - but that's really something I don't see as necessarily bad. Music is music, great poetry... well, apart from Cohen and Waits, it mostly and rather conveniently comes in... books.

I think this release is just as good as their first, and frankly (Mr. Shankly), I don't really find much progression from the debut album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? (2011) but when 'power pop' songs come out so naturally, I mean, who gives a polite f#*k?

Quite enjoyable.

[ allmusic.com, The Guardian 3 / 5, Uncut, SputnikMusic, PopMatters 3,5 / 5, NME 4 /5 stars ]

Show lyrics <- click...

~ ~ ~
"Teenage Icon"

"Oh look at me, so ordinary
no mystery with no great capabilities
but I could make out as if I had it but you know
God, I'm so obvious and I should let it go
Oh I don't know, oooh

I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero

Reserved and shy, your average guy
No piercing stare, just out of shape with messy hair
but I always figured I was somebody in wake
and now I'm guessing that my woman must be late
'cause I need her, oooh

I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero

I'm not magnetic or mythical
I'm suburban and typical
but I've got it, I've got it, I'm overrun with it all

Seductive charm, a way with words
So effortless, not leather-clad or dangerous
but I always did it like a real rebel would
I had a photo where John Lennon may have stood
or so I'm told, oooh

I'm no teenage icon
I'm no Frankie Avalon
I'm nobody's hero
[repeat]"

~ ~ ~

The Vaccines "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?" (2011)

What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? [debut]
release date: Mar. 14, 2011
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,68]
producer: Dan Grech-Marguerat
label: Columbia Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Wreckin' Bar" - 2. "If You Wanna" - 6. "Nørgaard" (4 / 5) (live in London) - 7. "Post Break-Up Sex" (4 / 5) (live session) - 9. "All in White" - 10. "Wolf Pack"

Studio debut album by London-based 'indie' rock quartet The Vaccines consisting of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Justin (Hayward-)Young, lead guitarist Freddie Cowan, bassist Arni Arnason and drummer Pete Robertson. The band was formed around 2009 by Young and Cowan.
Not surprising, everyone seems provoked to answer the question in the title, as to "What did [I] expect from the Vaccines?" My initial thoughts were damp and my interest was almost absent but rapidly I came to appreciate it as more than Okay. When looking at how many new bands and artists that pop up all the time and are hyped as the new prophets, I just have to say that I didn't expect much from this singles-hit band, however, they have surely surprised me in a positive sense. It's simply not just "Post Break-Up Sex" and "Wreckin' Bar", and they're a refreshing blow of air when everyone tries to be the new Arcade Fire, Strokes, Frans Ferdinand, Interpol, and-who-knows-who.
The band and the album was launched as the new biggest thing - to say it mildly - they were extremely hyped by the British music media, and the album peaked at number #4 on the national albums chart, but with such media exposure, they were basically doomed to fail to some degree, and by looking at some of the reviews it's quite evident that the hype was too immense. As Alexis Petridis of The Guardian put it: "It's not class that's a problem for the Vaccines, it's being hyped more than their catchy retro indie deserves." Well, I guess what he actually means is that they deserve more then they he hands them then...
Anyway, The Vaccines don't make it harder than necessary and that's a very nice starting point - too many could learn from that. It's nice & fine & I like it!
[ allmusic.com 2,5 / 5, The Guardian 3 / 5, NME, Mojo, Spin, Q, Uncut 4 / 5 stars ]

(Live perfomance on Jools' Annual Hootenanny, 2011)