Highly Evolved

The Vines

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 16, 2002)
• Original Release Date: July 16, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B0000669JG
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (261 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,863 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #87 in

  Music > Alternative Rock > Hardcore & Punk > Garage Punk

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Hailed by a growing number as "the future of rock," the Vines are more a conglomeration of the best of the past. The Sydney, Australia, quartet sounds alternately like Nirvana, the Beatles, T. Rex, and even the Beach Boys (and, at times, all of those blended together). On Highly Evolved they present 12 flawlessly crafted songs, each one living up to the title of the album and first song. The wistful yearning of "Homesick," the breakneck force of "Get Free," and the gritty party of "Sunshinin" are proof alone of their deserved success. Sonically more complex than their stripped-down contemporaries White Stripes and the Strokes, the Vines write songs worthy of orchestration. But unlike White Blood Cells or Is This It, this album lacks cohesion. Each song is a world to itself, never quite uniting with the others. But such a critique, normally reserved for more established bands, shows the extent of the Vines’ accomplishments--getting compared to the greats your first time out isn’t too bad. --Laura Etling

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It Will Definitely Grow On You, July 16, 2002

By	Cary S. Whitt "Tune Junkie" (Columbus,Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ok, forget all of the Nirvana comparisons for one second. Yeah sure they dip their feet into the Seattle waters from time to time, but there is so much else on the Vines debut, it simply adds to the over-all appeal. I immediately gravitate towards singer Craig Nichols' screaming vocals. Somehow he puts his own unique twist on a vocal style long since original. After that, are the lyrics which at their best, take no prisoners and weep with angst and sorrow. At their worst, they become sing-a-long punk-pop projects. (nothing wrong with that at all)

There is an immediate feeling to the record. And it's important feeling too. The feeling of something new and fresh, yet so familiar. Right away we realize these guys have some great CD collections, but further more, we realize they use what they know. One could say "Highly Evolved" is a sum of it's influenced parts.

Highlights for me include the blitzing single "Get Free", the emotionally charged, "Country Yard" and quick hit wonder of "Highly Evolved".

These four aussie rockers have pushed their way here with an album that sounds like it would never get a chance, but somehow did. It is the sound of kids that are fed up with the rap metal thing and yawn at the uninspired state of "safe" alternative radio. It's an album that will please immediately but will pleasure for a lot longer.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The" Best, December 31, 2002

By A Customer

I have to say that out of all these "The" bands (Vines / Hives / Strokes / White Stripes /Exies / etc...), The Vines album has gotta be the best buy. I own "Veni Vidi Vicious" by The Hives and that's my favorite punk album but I'm not TOO BIG on the punk scene. I've heard The Strokes and White Stripes albums but The Vines outdo them all. Being said that The Vines were influenced by Nirvana (my favorite band), I immediately bought this to check out the hype. Now, it really wasn't what I expected at first. The only Nirvana-esque song is probably "Get Free" and that's a rockin' number but with ballads like Autumn Shade, Sunshinin', Homesick, Country Yard, and Mary Jane, this album did not live up to my expectations. I must say I was disappointed with this album as first but you have to hear all the songs with an open mind to make this album very ... accessible to listen to. That's exactly what I did and this CD now belongs in my top 5 or top 10 collection right behind my Nirvana albums. Here's a short rundown of each song...

[01] Highly Evolved
- Despite the fact that this killer rock track is only like a minute long, it's easy to identify this song by the title. When I first heard it, it sounded like a space-age futuristic rock song with its overproduction but nonetheless, killer song.

[02] Autumn Shade
- Now I know Craig's and Axl's (GN'R) voices are in completely different ranges but this song just reminds me of GN'R's "November Rain." I don't know how to explain it well but this is the best ballad you'll find on "Highly Evolved". As the song drags on near the end, you'll hear some static/feedback which, in a cool way, jumps into...

[03] Outtathaway
- ..."Outtathaway" with its simple guitar riffs up to the point where Craig Nicholls yells something uncontrollably (a la Kurt Cobain in "Tourette's"). With its catchy chorus and the simplicity of this song, it's hard to say that you don't like this rock gem.

[04] Sunshinin'
- Now this really isn't a ballad but it's toned down from the likes of "Highly Evolved" and "Outtathaway". Nice, peaceful song to listen to.

[05] Homesick
- This is the ballad of all ballads. I prefer "Autumn Shade" over "Homesick" due to the fact even though this song fits perfectly into its category, it drags on a little bit which makes it a little tiresome to listen to.

[06] Get Free
- Now this has gotta be the fastest track on this album. No doubt about it. Some people might say it's a bit overplayed and that I cannot deny, but compared to the rest of the songs, this is the only track that will get your blood pumping. Well, maybe. Gotta read on in case I change my mind.

[07] Country Yard
- "I'm tired of feeling sick and useless" ... is how Nicholls starts off this song; "moody," that is. Then, as he goes on further on this track, it turns to "happiness." It's a great song. VERY similar to a specific Beatles song. Can't recall which one though. Killer ballad.

[08] Factory
- Sounds like a cross-over between The Beatles and The Kinks but I like to easily identify this as a Jamaican skater-punk song for some odd reason. With its lightning quick drum rolls in the intro to the awesome guitar and bass riffs by Nicholls and Matthews, this is definitely the standout track of this album. And I wouldn't be suprised if this became a HUGE single.

[09] In The Jungle
- Songs like these are hard to explain. Just read what I wrote about "Factory" and replace the track name with "In The Jungle." This rocker sounds like something from a Rolling Stones' b-side collection. A GREAT b-side, that is.

[10] Mary Jane
- If you like ballads, you will LOVE this. The only complaint I have about this is the fact that Craig Nicholls decided to extend this song just a bit too much droning out the words "Mary Jane......" several times. I can't say this song is a flaw on this album but if I had to choose one, this would be it.

[11] Ain't No Room
- In the beginning, you hear somebody say "One, two, one, two, three," (drums start). From then on, Craig plays the best guitar riffs you can hear on this CD with his feedback-ish altered voice for the first few opening lines. Its got an awesome chorus and this is also one of those tracks that would easily become a hit single.

[12] 1969
- Definitely sounds like something that came out of the 60s. With its constantly tempo changes and great drum beats, this is also another outstanding track. Great closer for such a great album.

All in all, The Vines' debut album, "Highly Evolved," is definitely a good buy. Don't buy this album believing all the hype with its ...comparisons to Nirvana. Nirvana were great but when you listen to this, they deserve to be completely distanced from any relations with Nirvana. The Vines are The Vines and that's all I can say.

28 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Don't believe the hype....., August 15, 2002

By	GZA "gza" (London) - See all my reviews

'Highly Evolved' is quite good. There. I've said it. "Quite" good. You'd be forgiven, having read the hyperbole surrounding Australia's Vines, for thinking they'd resurrected Princess Di, discovered a cure for cancer and performed all manner of other miracles in one fell swoop. They haven't. They've made a fairly good, punky, melodic, rock n roll album. That the music press in Britain has gone so overboard, hailing Craig Nicholls and Co as the best band for a decade (erm, what about Oasis, Radiohead, The Strokes etc...), is a reflection on the rather pathetic desperation of the media to find the next big thing, and then convince an unsuspecting public that it is considerably better and more thrilling than it actually is. Well, it made me go out and buy the album anyway.....

Onto the actual music. Nicholls is a decent front man, by turns angry, joyous and reflective. Musically the album mixes punk, grunge, acoustic strumming and full-on rock wig-outs, the influence of Nirvana and Supergrass readily apparent. The stand out tracks (admittedly after only 3 listens) are Country Yard, Highly Evolved and Mary Jane. However, groundbreaking 'Highly Evolved' aint. This isn't the only drawback (The Strokes' album is rather derivative, but still brilliant) - the album just doesn't excite like it should. It could have been made by any one of a dozen marginal indie bands, and to compare it to debuts such as Oasis' 'Definitely Maybe' or the first Stone Roses album is, to my mind, ludicrous. Still, you should draw your own conclusions - I'm sure a thousand people will think I'm an idiot on reading this.....