The Vines
Don't Listen To The Radio

2/ 10 [Edit this Release]

Type: Single Release date: 25/09/2006

Artists:
The Vines »

Label:
Heavenly »

by Nick Cowen [Edit this content] ▾ 19 comments 17:49 September 25th, 2006

Your Rating:

A creaking guitar line segues into handclaps and a lightweight bassline; a couple of beats and Craig Nicholls sounds off on the mic, instructing you to switch off your radios, go outside and hang out with you mates instead, because after all, that's what he'd do. Since this muted, limp-wristed, two-minute slab of nothing is set to go into heavy rotation this month, I'd say it's the best advice you'll get all year.

The beat and the riff are catchy - they go a long way towards drowning out the inane lyrics. But after repeated spins, there are two things dragging this song into the basement. The first of these can be excused - the sparkly, shiny production which almost makes you miss the rough-hewn edges of the band's earlier work. What's absolutely unforgivable is the lack of passion, feeling - anything - that the band brings to the proceedings. It all sounds muted, even by The Vines' standards. It's almost as if this was recorded after Nicholls and the boys went on a 24-hour thorazine bender. Either that, or they really couldn't be bothered.

When you consider the acres of print and hours of airtime that touted this band as a leading light in punk rock back in 2002, while the music press largely ignored the likes of Ikara Colt and Mclusky, it's enough to turn your stomach. But after hearing how detatched and bored they sound, and when you think of how many unsigned bands you've seen recently who've played with more conviction and fire than this, you actually want to start punching something.

Like I said: the best thing you could say about this single is that at least the singer's on target with what you should be doing with your time.

The Vines 2 / 10

The Vines - Melodia 19 Sep 11:53
The Vines - Melodia 19 Sep 11:53
The Vines - Don't Listen To The Radio 25 Sep 17:49
The Vines - Don't Listen To The Radio 25 Sep 17:49
The Vines to make live comeback 20 Apr 12:33
The Vines - Vision Valley 10 Apr 13:02
The Vines - Vision Valley 10 Apr 13:02
Axl reckons album's almost done, plus Vines and Placebo new record news... 19 Jan 13:52

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Comments

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I thought to myself before opening this...

If this recieves more than a five, I'll stop visiting DiS.

Not that DiS is going downhill or anything.

It's just this single is so, so, SO awful.

TheWildSon | 25 Sep '06, 18:21 | X | Reply

I really like Vision Valley

except for this track.

Damian | 25 Sep '06, 18:24 | X | Reply

2002

I think they got so much press and hype in 2002 because they were being touted as the poppier side of garage rock. I think their early singles are still great to stick on every now and then, but they were really just a band of their time. They've barely evolved since 2002 and unfortunately haven't kept the standards of the first album going. However, I fucking love 'Ride' and 'Winning Days' off the 2nd album

gram_caxton | 25 Sep '06, 18:24 | X | Reply

don't listen to the radio

they've started playing the vines again

spookyelectric | 25 Sep '06, 19:52 | X | Reply

Get Free

is a tune...

alexliamw | 25 Sep '06, 19:55 | X | Reply

This review

sums up the whole of Vision Valley not just this single, the whole album is utter pap. When I heard Gross Out on the radio the first time I was wowed instantly only to be bored fucking stiff by it by the end of it's 1 minute and 18 seconds.

Bertybirchbirch | 25 Sep '06, 20:28 | X | Reply

The Vines-Vision Valley

This album rocks!
This was the soundtrack of my summer!!
I think this album reserves more credit than it is getting, because no one else in the world sounds like The Vines ans something like that should really be accounted for. It be may be a short record but its a great record no the less!

bed_head | 25 Sep '06, 22:00 | X | Reply

...

I really like the album, it works very well. I think I might listen to it now, come to mention it...

Andy @bed_head | 25 Sep '06, 22:12 | X | Reply

ok

so i remeber reading vision valley reviews claiming that the production was about as sophisticated as a slingshot and now you are saying its overpolished ??

i like this record a lot. i think you misunderstand the point of the record.

masterconnor | 25 Sep '06, 22:47 | X | Reply

Now they're the $#%@#ing Beach Boys?

Oh great.

robertstjames @masterconnor | 26 Sep '06, 01:08 | X | Reply

.....

i mean , come on , its not THAT bad surely . i really don't think the reviewer comprehends the angle / level at which this song comes from . it's not meant to be THAT deep . The album is highly listenable and although this isn't the best track on it by any means i feel it deserves a fairer review than this rubbish , sheesh . does DiS have pet hate bands which only their haters can review ?? j