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The Daily Cardinal Est. 1892
Thursday, July 03, 2025

Vines show no growth on 'Days'

 

 

 

 

Winning Days 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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On the strength of singles like \Outtatheway,"" ""Get Free"" and ""Ain't No Ruin,"" The Vines experienced a successful debut in . Their follow-up lacks the same creativity, intensity and all-around excellence. incorporates insightful songwriting and catchy melodies, but the tracks fail to match the energy and explosiveness demonstrated on their first album. 

 

 

 

The first song and new single, ""Ride,"" is merely a single with a simple beat and attractive hook. It fails to represent the musical abilities of the group seen on the first album. The vocals of lead singer Craig Nicholls seem forced as he lacks genuine power and liveliness. In order to engage pop listeners, the band even resorts to clapping hands toward the end of the track. This single is just a cheap attempt at gaining a pop audience and mimicking their first album. 

 

 

 

continues to fail, even though The Vines try to exhibit energy and intensity from their first album. The band seems to play extra loud with excessive shouting, overwhelming listeners. Songs such as ""Animal Pro"" and ""Evil Town"" go too far over the edge in a failed attempt to reclaim their audience.  

 

 

 

They seem to be in a sophomore slump, lacking a spark in songwriting. ""Winning Days,"" ""She's Got Something to Say to Me"" and ""Rainfall"" lack a clear direction. The band mixes different vocal structures and styles-none seem to work well. Instead, they make the album weaker because the styles clash with one another. Listeners can't tell whether they desire an edge with harder guitar lines, will succumb to pop sounds or experiment with mellow songwriting. The Vines try to branch out in many directions, but they need to find a true style.  

 

 

 

Although The Vines lost their vitality, their mellow and calm tracks demonstrate how they have developed and may have changed their artistic direction. They pay tribute to their first album's ""Autumn Shade"" with the soothing ""Autumn Shade II."" Nicholls layers his voice with artistic harmonies and ambient sounds, adding depth to their music. The track ""Sun Child"" combines these qualities with an amazing guitar solo. Their guitar work confirms the band's musical abilities. Fans can be comforted in knowing The Vines still take pride in their guitars. This style of song, with calm instrumentation and vocals, are The Vines' only successes on , displaying the band's dynamic musicality.  

 

 

 

It takes until the last track of the album to offer hope to the fans of . The Vines regain their seemingly lost intensity on ""F.T.W."" Starting off with a heavy bass riff and a drum roll with Nicholls' shouting, the band displays much-needed zeal. 

 

 

 

The Vines evolved from a band with amazing intensity and explosive nature to a band that has lost direction in songwriting. They have, however, displayed their talent in calm tracks, possibly creating a new style. Although traces of passion weave into songs, most of their genuine energetic flare remains unheard on . The album is not nearly as solid as -it lacks genuine intensity and direction. Hopefully they will find their style and recapture their energy and passion on their third album so these Vines don't grow any more thorns.  

 

 

 

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