CD Review – The Vaccines
What Did You Expect From the Vaccines?
Welcome to the party! “Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)” is a straight-up Ramones sendup that opens an album that is much more diverse than it seems. The three minute “If You Wanna” is like a punked-up Strokes rip-off, but keeps the energy flowing much better than anything The Strokes have released.
The Vaccines sound a lot like U.K. tourmates Arctic Monkeys, but they know how to temper the punk with a little Euro-pop on tracks like “A Lack of Understanding” and “Blow It Up” and then kick it back up with killers like “Post Break-Up Sex.”
Both these bands are the beginning of a new European invasion. No, The Vaccines are not The Beatles, but they are better than Oasis! Euro post-punk is in full stride and The Vaccines are at the front of the pack.