Over the last year or two mainstream indie music has developed into a pretty predictable formula; upbeat drums and power chords topped off with catchy, chanty vocals. Just think of Miles Kane, The Courteeners or The Pigeon Detectives and you'll get the idea. But you know what they say: if it ain't broke, then don't fix it!
The Vaccines are a West-London four piece who specialise in that well known style of punchy, guitar-based indie music and their fifth single from the debut album, 'What Did You Expect from the Vaccines?', is no exception to the rule. Clocking in at only one minute forty it is the definition of getting straight to the point; the power chords come in fast, followed immediately by the bassline, with the drums rolling in before the song has even hit the ten second mark. There's no slowing down from there on and after the vocals have come in there's only a short, lyricless bridge, which admittedly does seem like it's cropped up a little too early in the track and then the song is over before you even know it. There's no messing around with intros or outros or even guitar solos here.
This song will seem familiar to you even if it's the first time you've heard it, even the subject matter has been done before. Frontman Justin Young is actually lusting over Danish model Amanda Norgaard, but you'll struggle to find an indie band like this that hasn't sung about about that perfectly flawed teenage girl who's that little bit too young and is that little bit too messed up - thanks a bunch Liam Fray.
Although when it comes down to it, the track does tick all the right boxes for a typical indie rock song: it has a catchy tune throughout, some nice little hooks and even a penultimate chorus with just the drums accompanying. It may not be anything new, but hey, it doesn't sound half bad and if it comes on while you're on a night out then you will be jumping up and down and singing along.
I don't imagine this song will be remembered as one of the great songs of this decade, or even this year. In my opinion even iTunes making it their single of the week was a bit of a stretch. Don't get me wrong, there's absolutely nothing wrong with this track, it's just that it sounds too much like everybody elses songs to go down in history. So in response to the title of the album; this is exactly what I expected from The Vaccines, it's just a little better than I thought it'd be, that's all.
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The Vaccines are a West-London four piece who specialise in that well known style of punchy, guitar-based indie music and their fifth single from the debut album, 'What Did You Expect from the Vaccines?', is no exception to the rule. Clocking in at only one minute forty it is the definition of getting straight to the point; the power chords come in fast, followed immediately by the bassline, with the drums rolling in before the song has even hit the ten second mark. There's no slowing down from there on and after the vocals have come in there's only a short, lyricless bridge, which admittedly does seem like it's cropped up a little too early in the track and then the song is over before you even know it. There's no messing around with intros or outros or even guitar solos here.
