The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? - 14.03.2011

One of my three bands to watch for this year have released their debut album, and here's what I thought of The Vaccines' 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?':

So, what did you expect from The Vaccines? Josh Young & Co. have been flung into the public eye, with many linking them to the likes of the Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes. But whereas they may lack the energy of the former and the instantaneous flair of the second, The Vaccines – with their echoing guitars, Editors-style vocals and indie rock variety - may have justified their billing as the best new guitar band in Britain.

‘What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?’ is the highly anticipated debut release from the London-based four piece, having slowly built up a big reputation on the music scene. Receiving praise from Zane Lowe, Q and Clash, placing third on the BBC Sound of 2011 poll and gaining a loyal backing from NME have seen them shoot onto the periphery of many, and this thirty-five minute wonder is, in places, the triumph we have been promised.

The impact is immediate; opener ‘Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)’ is just over a minute’s worth of indie rock blyss with a exhilarating beat and joyous vocals that fit perfectly onto any alternative dancefloor, followed swiftly by the pacy tale of desperation ‘If You Wanna’. ‘Norgaard’ carries on the Wombats-style jubilation as does the guitar-jangling ‘Wolf Pack’, while in album highlight ‘Post Break-Up Sex’, they have got an indie anthem like nothing this side of ‘I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor’; an magnificent performance, swelling chorus and as relevant as Alex Turner’s early efforts.

The Vaccines also have an Editors-esque feel to them; the echoey production and heavy-hitting guitar notes of ‘Blow It Up’ compliment Young’s Tom Smith-style vocals in this mellow guitar odyssey. But they are (occasionally) more optimisitic and catchy than the modern champions of morose rock, the atmospheric building of ‘A Lack of Understanding’ and the plodding ode to staying young ‘Wetsuit’ prove this. ‘All in White’, when it actually kicks in, is another example of their talents.

Some songs are undoubtedly better than others, but the much slower ‘Family Friend’ is a good swelling sing-a-long, and the album is finished in fine style with the paceless and sorrowful piano afterthought ‘Somebody Else’s Child’. There is a flaw in this first effort into mainstream success – ‘Under Your Thumb’ is aimless as it fails to build and release, but doesn’t detract from a very good album.

So, what to expect from The Vaccines? Personally, the links to the Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes are just a bit off for me. Sure, The Vaccines have written some fine tunes – ‘Post Break-Up Sex’ lifting the album with its sheer brilliance – but they aren’t ready to be put up in the Indie Rock Hall of Fame just yet. But make sure you give ‘What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?’ a listen, they may just be the best new guitar band on the block compared to their present rivals.

A good album, living up to the hype if not quite the bands it has been linked to, and here's my favourite track 'Post Break-Up Sex'.

NWR