Vanity [Enhanced, Original recording reissued]

Eighteen Visions | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 13, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Original recording reissued
• Label: Trustkill Records
• ASIN: B00006I0BE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,941 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The best combination since neglig...see site for more info.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 18v's Most Essential Album, November 9, 2005

By 

LeftManOut (TheCityThatNeverSleeps, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vanity (Audio CD)

There's many different opinions floating around about this album among Eighteen Visions' fans. Some, like myself, consider this to be the best album 18V has crafted since their inception; some are turned off by its glammy imagery, and new sound. To tell the truth, "Vanity" combines all the best aspects of 18v's sound, without being too melodic, or too overly heavy. There's a nice balance created within the album, and each song seems to flow very well. If someone were new to this band, or had never listened to them before, then this would be the first place I would point them. Don't get me wrong, I love "Until The Ink Runs Out", but I just consider this a better balanced work, and a better representation of Eighteen Visions' style. As it stands, "Vanity" is a crushing dose of melody and mayhem, and has more than its share of change ups, keeping the listener constantly guessing on what's coming next, which really propels it into a greater territory.

There's a lot that separates this album from 18V's others. If you have been listening to this band, then you know they have never made the same album twice. "Yesterday Is Time Killed" was the beginning where the band was finding their sound, "Until The Inks Runs Out" was the full on intricate hardcore that 18v was always known for, and "Obsession" was an attempt to take Eighteen Visions' sound to a more mainstream rock approach. "Vanity" falls in the middle of "Until The Ink Runs Out" and "Obsession". At the time 18V was beginning to experiment with more and more melody, but still throwing out heavy pieces like "Fashion Show" and "One Hell Of A Prize Fighter". The diversity is what is key about the album. James has taken his voice to new levels than were previously seen on "Until The Ink Runs Out", and proves that he really can 'sing'. His charisma and attitude on the mic gives 18v a style and sound all their own. He can go from some of the most brutal screams, to beautiful melodies instantly, as seen on the title track "Vanity" and "A Short Walk Down A Long Hallway". Keith and Brandan have taken a different approach to writing guitar parts this time around. Their style isn't nearly as intricate and complicated as it was on UTIRO, but it's much more melodic. The guitars seem to weave better together on this release than they do on the first album. Mick and Ken give a great performance as the rhythm section, Ken's drumming is especially worthy of noting, as it's the best he has done thus far for the band. You won't really find yourself getting bored with the album because it has such a great range. It has heavy ones like "The Critic" and "One Hell of A Prize Fighter", middle of the road, heavy yet melodic pieces like "Vanity" and "You Broke Like Glass" and more melodic approaches like "Gorgeous" and "Sonic Death Monkey". As far I can tell this new 'enhanced' version is no different from the original pressing, except that it corrects the track list (which on the original is messed up) and has the video for "You Broke Like Glass", so if you have the old one, there's really no need to shell out another $15 for this one.

In the end every time I listen to "Vanity" I'm pleased. It's definitely my favorite album by the band, and their essential recording. Like I said diversity is key, and this album has plenty of it. While "Obsession" would abandon a lot of the trademarks the band established on this album (although it was an ok album), and "Until The Ink Runs Out" might be a little too heavy for casual fans' taste (but it's still an amazing album), "Vanity" lands right in the middle. It offers you the best of both worlds, without leaning too much towards one side. If you like the band or have never listened to them at all, this should still be your first introduction to the band. After that I would head to "Until The Ink Runs Out", and then to "Obsession". Nothing can really take anything away from this album, which is why it's so good. Check it out.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I hate purists, April 19, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Vanity (Audio CD)

Alot of people give this album a bad reveiw or make fun of the band for not playing the same crap over and over. Unlike purists, I like musical progression. This is a good album but it has its flaws.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars With a title like that, expect the extravagant..., February 2, 2003

By 

C. Taylor "Wyld Weasil" (Norwood Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vanity (Audio CD)

The new cd from Eighteen Visions finds them adding new elements to their stuff, while still staying true to the original sounds that got them here till now. Get this on the sticked we had another 'Poison the wellish' stick that said "Blisteringly powerful yet melodiously catchy music for fans of: Stone Temple Pilots, Slipknot, Vision of Disorder". But you know what's funny? It's all there! Sounds and styles from all those bands seemed to be blended and intertwined with 18 Visions already chaotic sound. THis record finds them cleaning up their mix a bit, but still managing to keep their nasty pounding sounds. Lots of guest singers on this cd. Corey Darst(ex-zao) and Howard Jones(Blood Has Been Shed, new-Killswitch Engage) add great extras to James' already awesome sounding vocals! The Guitars still have that heavy sound, as does the bass, but this time they seem to be taking a more melodic touch to the lines. The drums are just as good as ever, and Ken even has a whole song he did by himself! It took a while before I could take "I don't Mind" seriously, at first I did think it was a joke song, the chorus sounded way too radio friendly at first, but after a few listens it all sunk in. Want more of a reason to buy this disc? Incredible artwork, and there's a song called "Sonic Death Monkey"! This cd does show some progression, which might have scared off some long time fans at first with "I don't Mind", but the rest of the record is a lot heavier and definetly makes up for it. My only complaints are too many guests and the tracks are labeled incorrectly on my cd, there are 13 tracks total, but only 12 are listed and they are kind of out of order. I think they forgot to put track 5 down. I like this cd a lot, and think this cd will definetly bridge a few gaps they had between what they've been doing and what they might do a few years down the road. I give this one a 5. Oh yeah if anyone accuses them of selling out, let me tell you something, I had to go into 8 stores before finding this cd, so if they sold out, they didn't sell out very well!