The Vines – Winning Days

The Vines
Artist: The Vines
Title: Winning Days
Label: Captiol
Rating: 6.5/10

Corporate Line: From the title alone, it’s obvious that The Vines’ second album takes a warmer approach than their grittier debut. The positivity of Winning Days as an album is reflected in the lyrics, the sounds and the songs. The drums sound like they did in the Bearsville room, the electric guitars come straight through old valve amps onto the tape, and Craig and Ryan’s acoustics are pushed to the front throughout the record. While the band retain their ability to produce incredibly primal rock n’ roll in songs such as the two openers “Ride” and “Animal Machine,” this album sees The Vines moving into even more complex and textured melodic territory than before. Upbeat folk songs like “Rainfall” and “Sunchild” mix with the beautiful acoustic balladry of “Autumn Shade 2” and “Amnesia,” while the off-kilter psychedelia of “TV Pro” prove that Craig Nicholls’ songwriting talents are burning even stronger here. The songs themselves, and Craig’s vocals – the melodies and layered harmonies – are testament to a one-in-a-million musical vision.

The Good:
“Ride” – This is what the Vines are all about, playing fun rock songs.

The Average:
“TV Pro” – It sounds more glorious that it really is and yet it’s this change that could equate a grander evolution from power chords to power songs.
“Animal Machine” – This is what the Vines of old—boring screams around asinine lyrics.
“Amnesia,” “Sun Child” and “Winning Days” – The Vines are working for Beatle comparisons. Not in brilliance, but harmonics.
“Autumn Shade II” and “She’s Got Something to Say” – Is it a ballad? Isn’t it? It’s a break from excess and is too much of a pit stop.
“F*ck The World” – Between the screeching vocals and absolution of fuzz you wonder if anyone can really come up with a true anthem this decade. The Vines haven’t yet, although they’ve tried mightily.

The Ugly:
“Evil Town” – Horrible.
Frankly: The Vines suffer from excess; it’s a reversal of fortunes. They walk instead of gallop through Winning Days. Song after song slows the next down further while the lyrics lag behind the beauty and aren’t good enough to boost the Vines from the rest of the pack. Only the Vines know when they will make the leap from good to great, hopefully in their next outing.

+ Rae Gun


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