AAA Backstage Archive

Album of the Week: The Vaccines 'English Graffiti'

The Vaccines are gracing the cover of NME this week, to coincide with the release of their third studio album, 'English Graffiti'. In the accompanying interview, lead vocalist Justin Young reveals fears The Vaccines would be a one-hit wonder and an ambition to be “as big as” some of the biggest stadium bands in the world: Muse, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, Mumford & Sons, U2, the Rolling Stones and Imagine Dragons. It’s no coincidence that the majority of these bands are from the UK; The Vaccines have always worn their nationality proudly, in a way Blur did over two decades ago. This latest rallying cry to greatness by Young, however, is pure Gallagher brothers; there is definitely something of their insouciant cool in 'English Graffiti’s' minimal sleeve.

'English Graffiti' is, as perhaps suggested by its name, delightfully pastiche and gaudy. Where 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' was apocalyptic garage pop, and 'Come of Age' saw Justin Young channel Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus with tongue in cheek college rock, 'English Graffiti' is a bit harder to classify. It’s The Vaccines classic rock framework but filled with Britpop hooks and melodies: producer Dave Fridmann no doubt had much to do with this sudden lack of self-consciousness, the crash or crash through mentality that pervades the record.

This is evident from first track, Handsome, which begins with an electronic MGMT squeal and is a triple-espresso rock song, pulsating and over before you’ve put the kettle on. Second single Dream Lover is a much more introspective track, with a distorted riff and anthemic chorus that confirms their admiration of Arctic Monkeys. Minimal Affection begins with a Stone Roses acoustic jangle, before astonishingly morphing into a Julian Casablancas drawl: “How am I supposed to hear you calling / If I can’t hear a word you say?”

The Vaccines are probably still at their best when they do short, punchy rock songs in the vein of Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra), If You Wanna and Norgaard. On 'English Graffiti', this works best on fourth track 20/20, exploring the well-known territory of moving on after a relationship. Justin Young manages to sound both offended and optimistic, and Freddie Cowan’s adrenaline-injected riff cuts like a knife through the chorus. Unlike their previous two records, this energy is sustained throughout the record, and doesn’t just finish at track seven.

That The Vaccines still haven’t entirely found their identity yet has probably been confirmed by this record. Are they a step closer, though? Absolutely. The flintiness of 'Come of Age' has been sanded down, and revealed a band comfortable and confident enough to explore a variety of genres. There are some songs on this record that will no doubt be highlights of the Vaccines’ set at this years’ Splendour in the Grass and become beloved parts of the Vaccines canon. This is a good but not great record that the Vaccines and Vaccines fans should embrace.

6.5/10