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Review: The Vaccines - Come of Age [Album]

Colombia Records // "It puts your faith back into guitar music, and regains something which a lot of music lacks: fun"

by LauraPhoto, September 2nd, 2012 and has been Read 4555 times.
Last Edited by: Ffion Davies September 3rd, 2012.

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Let's be honest, indie rock has gotten a little boring as of late. In the harsh world of music, it's so easy for bands to come and go in a second, so when The Vaccines were introduced to our lives, it was a breath of fresh air. The West-London boys brought us a Punk-tinged indie rock and roll avalanche in first album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? which caused an explosion of excitement. Well, just over a year later, the boys are back with their second full-length, Come of Age, a vibrant album full of tasty tracks reminiscent of The Beach Boys attempting to have a baby with the Ramones.



Opener 'No Hope' is bright and youthful, it's simple yet contains a spark of raw energy which The Vaccines have so much of. This song is honest, with straight-forward, to-the-point lyrics about youth and coming of age, accompanied by shimmering guitars. It's the perfect start to what is such a great album.

The Vaccines have such a range of influences, from 1960's rock, to punk to American pop-rock. All of these genres are wonderfully blended together in tracks such as 'Bad Mood' and 'Change of Heart Pt2', both with fast beats and vivid guitar work. This band don't mess about, their songs are so full of tangy melody which will have you dancing around your bedroom in the humid summer nights. By producing this kind of material so naturally, and so effortlessly, it puts your faith back into guitar music, and regains something which a lot of music lacks: fun.

LISTEN // 'No Hope'

http://soundcloud.com/the-vaccines/no-hope

There's no denial Come of Age has a lot more grit than their debut album. It's more experimental, it's edgier, but still has that catchy twang in which caught our attention. It also seems that the band have grown a hell of a lot of confidence, just look at the title of this album. Ballsy track 'Ghost Town' is one of the best songs on the album, it's dark, and contains a heavy riff, with an added stylised sophistication.

The melodic 60's influence is evident in 'All In Vein', which reminds me of The Kinks with a modern twist. The band, fronted by Justin Young, take yet another twist in the sombre, guitar based 'Weirdo' which shows off the band's talented writing capabilities, and not forgetting, the wonderful skills of guitarist Freddie Cowan.



The song most likely to have fit on the first album is the vividly catchy, 'Teenage Icon', containing that sugary hook which will sure to be a fan favourite at shows. It may be the most typical Vaccines-like track, but you just cannot dislike it.

WATCH // 'Teenage Icon'

There is so much Ramones influence in the ambiguous 'I Wish I Was a Girl', a controversial subject matter which puts you into another perspective of what is a confusing song, yet the musical brilliance allows you to accept this as another stand out track.

Without denying that this is a first listen love, my doubts lie within how substantial this album can be after a few months. Closing track 'Lonely World' isn't a great match for a stunning bunch of songs on Come of Age, and it kind of leaves the album feeling unfinished. As a believer that a closing song is a definer, this song leaves me a little disappointed.



Come of Age contains a hell of a lot; quirky melodies, mood changes, and a lot of experimentation. For only a second album, The Vaccines have an uncanny style to their music, but with that being said, this is only the beginning to what will be a brilliant future for the four piece London band.

Come of Age is out today (September 3rd 2012) on Colombia Records