rock.pop :: review

The Vines :: Winning Days

Capitol, March 2004

by Tom Donnelly

Highly Evolved, the Vines’ 2002 debut, was one of the best of the so-called “garage rock renaissance” albums. It boasted some of the best songs of the post-grunge era, coupling the twin influences of Nirvana and the Beatles’ seamlessly, effortlessly. Lead singer Craig Nichols was largely known for his outrageous behavior in concert (I’m blessed to be one of the few present at the now legendary Boston show when he got into an outright fistfight with bassist Patrick Matthews onstage) and a love for all things cannabis. He also possessed great songwriting capabilities at a very young age; he had wanted Highly Evolved to be a double album, and all the unreleased tracks were rumored to be brilliant. Fans have eagerly awaited the follow up, and at last, the new Vines’ record is upon us!

So, after about ten listens to Winning Days, one ponders the question: what the hell happened? It’s not that it’s a bad album- it’s just not anywhere near the greatness that was rightfully expected. It starts off promisingly enough, with “Ride” and “Animal Machine,” two songs that leave the listener ecstatic that the Vines are back. Then it all goes horribly wrong. “TV Pro,” “Evil Town,” “She’s Got Something to Say,” and “Amnesia” are all extremely pedestrian efforts, musically and lyrically, for a band of the Vines’ abilities. Most of the Highly Evolved b-sides (particularly “Down at the Club and “Don’t Go”) were far superior to these four clunkers.

There are enough bright spots though, apart from the aforementioned album openers, to make one hope for the future. Title track “Winning Days” is a great song, a wistful reminiscence on how much better things once were. It offers a glimpse of the Vines we know and love. It’s a well done bit of psychedelic rock accompanied by some of Nichols’ best lyrics; “”I’ve seen you down, / When I was flying/ I’m sinking like a stone, / I can’t breathe, / I’ve been trying.” “Sunchild” is a great country tinged tune, and album ender “Fuck the World” calls to mind the reckless energy of excellent early offerings like “Get Free” ands “Highly Evolved.”

The album is, in a word, uneven, with the good just barely outweighing the blah. They try, and come close a few times, but there’s no “Factory” here, no “Country Yard,” no “Highly Evolved,” and that’s what rankles the most. Sad to say, Winning Days has put the Vines on a (hopefully temporary) losing streak.

2004 1-42 Online