Winning Days... Winning Album
The Vines kick off this new album with their single 'Ride', which is every bit a classic. It's particularly good at conveying the physicality of the lead- Craig Nicholls. You don't headbang to this - you contort. This is carried right through into the next track 'Animal Machine'. The old saying of not for the faint hearted should be rewritten for this music and read not for those with neck injuries.
With 'TV PRO' you enter a hippy style psychedelic world full of echoing words that penetrate your mind, only for you to be hit over the head with a sledge hammer of a chorus. An almost split personality of a song, but one that works.
'Autumn Shade II' on the other hand, has a very laid back sound, with a psychedelic mind set. It has to be said that those of you who are in to Pink Floyd's earlier works will find a soul mate in this track.
'Evil Town' begins with cascading guitar sounds that turn in to a vocally dominated number with definite spooky undertones. Although this may not be to everyone's taste, it works brilliantly in its musical context and does have that hint of something disturbing.
'Winning Days' is a fabulous track and if ever released as a stand alone single should be a stormer. It has a Lennon/McCartney feel to the rhythm, which should appeal to a wide range of people. Great melodies enhanced by the use of Nicholls' unique voice. This is followed by the track 'She's Got Something To Say To Me', which again has that same feel to it, and shows The Vines have got great talent for many genres.
'Rainfall' gives you that strum along sound which although gentle is given an edge by the vocals. Superb, subtle guitar work also compliments this one.
Rhythm, harmony and melody are mixed together to maximum effect, and produce the sound of 'Amnesia'. You get the impression that The Vines are this song. The instrumentals are of the highest quality and for lovers of this style of music it is pure genius. 'Sunchild' musically, is ballad like in its qualities, once again showing The Vines' flexibility to make different genres their own.
Okay. 'Fuck The World'. The only track that seems to stray away from the rest of this album. Yes, it had the 'Ride' and 'Get Free' style with jarring guitars and screaming vocals, but there is an undercurrent that has an almost disturbing feel to it. Maybe that's what it is trying to achieve, who knows? Or maybe it's a shock after the preceding tracks; if so, it was inspired placing.
Overall 'Winning Days' is an extremely well written and performed album. The Vines show that you can produce different styles of music whilst keeping your own stamp of integrity firmly on them.