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Amazon.co.uk Review
Fundamentally, Highly Evolved, the debut album by the Vines, is about growing up in the 90s on a different side of the world. Year Zero is Nevermind, but lead singer/guitarist Craig Nicholls takes from Nirvana their Beatlesian pop imperative, not the rebranding of metal that catalysed so many mediocre grunge bands. He hears Britpop, but misunderstands it completely: instead of grey parochialism, the Sydney sunshine turns his melodies wilder, balmier--infinitely more appealing.
Highly Evolved, then, is the album we always hoped Nirvana would inspire, and the one we always hoped Supergrass might make. It lasts 44 minutes and has a dozen tunes, only one of them--the clunky punk reggae of "Factory"--remotely duff. Sometimes it races along with mad eyes and drool-flecked lips ("Outtathaway!", "Get Free"). Sometimes it reclines into a position of faintly psychedelic ecstasy ("Autumn Shade", "Country Yard", "Mary Jane"). Occasionally it does both in the same song (the climactic "1969") and leaves you gasping at the skill and audacity involved.
For Nicholls is, undoubtedly, quite an operator. His lyrics might be a little clichéd and his weirdness a touch studied, but there's no doubting the rare songwriting talent and the charisma with which he expresses it. These are songs so good they often transcend their influences: for once, the cop-out manifesto of "Evolution not Revolution" seems not just apposite, but utterly desirable. --John Mulvey
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The year of 2002, gave us a great new band called The Vines. Ever since the music channels were playing Get Free around the clock right up until the release of Highly Evolved. Ever since hearing the short but brilliant opening number, the title track I was glued to this album, and the album was glued to my CD player. The album begins with the short but still great Highly Evolved. It thens tones down to the excellent Autumn Shade and then moves back into hard rock territory with the hard-rockin' Outtathaway. Sunshinin' is another great rock song illustrating the band's 60's influences. Homesick is arguably the standout track of a standout album. It combines great melodies with Craig Nicholl's brilliant voice. Up next is the mighty Get Free, with its catchy, irrestible riffs and shout-along to, chorus. Country Yard had me hooked after first hearing it with its unforgetable chorus and melodies. Following this is the ska-influenced Factory with great lyrics and catchy tunes, this song shows how the band are not afraid to experiment with different genres. Ain't No Room and In The Jungle are more of the straight-forward rockers that made The Vines what they are today. Mary Jane sticks in your mind with brilliant lyrics and great melodies. The album could not end without the climax of 1969, a great loud and large rock anthem, with some great instrumental saections in it.
Highly Evolved is truly a landmark album in rock. It demonstrates that The Vines are great at doing great loud rock songs but are definitely not afraid to show their sensitive side also. This album offers great diversity. Its the kind of album that has inspired me to want to start my own band. With intelligent songwriting, great singing, unforgetable music and plentiful diversity, Highly Evolved is a must-listen-to album. I can safely say it was 44 minutes of pure musical greatness in my own living room.
Highly Evolved is truly a landmark album in rock. It demonstrates that The Vines are great at doing great loud rock songs but are definitely not afraid to show their sensitive side also. This album offers great diversity. Its the kind of album that has inspired me to want to start my own band. With intelligent songwriting, great singing, unforgetable music and plentiful diversity, Highly Evolved is a must-listen-to album. I can safely say it was 44 minutes of pure musical greatness in my own living room.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In 1994 I heard Oasis' Cigarettes and Alcolhol and thought I hadn't heard anything so brilliant since the Sex Pistols.
Well guess wot! it's happened again!!! This album is a masterpiece. If you've had a bad day at work and people have got on your wick, try track 3, outtathaway. Put it on at full volume and scream along to it!! The last track on the album, 1969, is a cross between Chamagne Supavova and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. If you love music, this is a must. Simply brilliant
Well guess wot! it's happened again!!! This album is a masterpiece. If you've had a bad day at work and people have got on your wick, try track 3, outtathaway. Put it on at full volume and scream along to it!! The last track on the album, 1969, is a cross between Chamagne Supavova and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. If you love music, this is a must. Simply brilliant
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album exceeded my expectations. It's exciting from the first note which introduces you to a sound very similar to the Hives, Strokes, White Stripes etc, however its when the music changes to softer melody in Homesick that you realise this band has the versatility to take their rock & roll anywhere.
Their overall sound has been compared a great deal to Nirvana and the Beatles which I would agree with.
The only reason I haven't given it 5 stars is simply because it's not quite the perfect album due to a slight lack of consistency in the tracks and a couple of weak ones like the Factory letting it down a bit.
I expect these guys from Sydney will only get better - c'mon you good thing!!
Their overall sound has been compared a great deal to Nirvana and the Beatles which I would agree with.
The only reason I haven't given it 5 stars is simply because it's not quite the perfect album due to a slight lack of consistency in the tracks and a couple of weak ones like the Factory letting it down a bit.
I expect these guys from Sydney will only get better - c'mon you good thing!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Well worth it
I only wrote this review to balance out the couple of 2 star reviews previously entered. I could understand any 3-5 start review of this album, but 2 stars is just way too low. Read more
Published 16 months ago by ColinD
Fairly Highly Evolved.
I bought this album back when it first came out, on the strength of the song Get Free. The album is a whole is good but not great. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2009 by Guitar Heroine
Trends?
Another `The' band. Going from previous helpings and how this album starts, it seems that to be a `The' band means plenty of no nonsense rock, but also so very fitting for the... Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2006 by G. Munday
Craig Nicholls- Genius
The Vines. Very underrated, yet melodical genius in this absolutely fantastic, life changing album. With some of my music like Funeral For A Friend, and Finch, i still have a... Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2005 by "bulletsinarms"
Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought there were only two bands who could pop my cork, and that was Oasis and the Stone Roses. But I bought this album, and I cant stop listening to it. It is brilliant!! Read more
Published on 14 Dec 2004 by J. Deane
awesome
what should i say!? this has got to be the most impressive and amazing debut album by any band EVER! Read more
Published on 8 May 2004 by "mad_mole2"
Brilliant
Yes, as everyone says, the Vines are hugely hyped. I discovered them last year, but ive never actually Seen as much hype as everyone always yadders on about. Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2003 by "fishy_hippo"
cliché
this lot are really over-rated. Imagine Harry Enfield's Kevin the teenager fronting a Nirvana tribute band & you've just about got it. Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2003 by Richardp
an average, overrated album
This album is pretty average with a few excellent songs. The singles are particularly good but The Vines can't really pull off a decent slow song. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2003 by Evelyn Richardson
Proper rock n roll
A brilliant and varied debut album, highlights have to be the amazing Get Free which gets angrier with every listen and Homesick which sends tingles down your spine. Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2003
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