The Vines - The Best Of (Capitol)
3/5
By: Natasha Arico
BUY DOWNLOADThey're the rock band that everyone likes, but are never an obvious favourite to reference. And for equally clear reasons, many agree that the Sydney based garage-revivalists never surpassed, musically that is, the brilliant debut that was Highly Evolved, a record that thrust The Vines into the international rock gaze for the entirety of 2002 and beyond. With a moist breath fuming of Nirvana and two day stale whiskey, they drove thousands to gigs across continents on the premise that they would, on cue, smash shit up. Then there was that whole Aspergers syndrome saga making Craig Nicholls rock's new poster boys for mental illness...
So three albums, one breakdown and so many vocal nodules later, we have The Best of The Vines put out on, who would have guessed it, the label that just dropped the buggers. Who knows, maybe Capitol are in luck and the royalties made from such an obviously enticing best of will cover the six years worth of bar tabs, damaged gear expenses and hospital costs they may or may not have forked out for. But regardless, this is also a pretty good catch up record for those who missed the whole Vines-thang prior to the release of the next instalment, Melodia, record number four.
And if you did, this is what you missed - Cobain-esque wails and drone harmonies sleazing over the simplest power chord progressions and essentially the most sensible pop song structures imaginable. The Vines became known for a reason, they had sweet stoner tunes - from break through single 'Get Free' to their last great ballad 'Vision Valley'. 'Homesick' still sits a favourite Vines tune, a nostalgic, astonishingly upbeat piano anthem with that corker 70's guitar solo nailed in at the end.
'Tis a well rounded Best Of despite some strays; as well rounded as a best of can be when you've only got three records. But then, I have to ask, where in f**k is 'Ms. Jackson'? Without a doubt one of the best covers in rock history and a shatteringly powerful stadium anthem, its exclusion is a devastating crime against music, so much so that I beg you, as much as there's merit here, boycott the Best of at all costs!
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