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Album Review: Meet The Vamps

Meet The Vamps is the debut album from self described UK pop-punk-accoustic-driven band The Vamps. Having met and formed through the magic of Internet and social media, the group have quickly become a sensation with their cheerful, youthful sound.

Meet The Vamps isn’t your average boy-band, screaming-teenage-girl-magnet, over-played-on-commercial-radio series of tunes; but it is certainly for a younger demographic.

UnknownMeet The Vamps is the debut album from self described UK pop-punk-accoustic-driven band The Vamps. Having met and formed through the magic of Internet and social media, the group have quickly become a sensation with their cheerful, youthful sound.

Meet The Vamps isn’t your average boy-band, screaming-teenage-girl-magnet, over-played-on-commercial-radio series of tunes; but it is certainly for a younger demographic.

The difference between The Vamps and other UK all-male pop outfits (whose music goes in a particular ‘direction’) is that the guys who, despite barely being of drinking age, all play instruments and write music. The album starts with an upbeat acoustic riff, joined by a kick drum and lifts into a huge chorus; “Wild Heart” is a fitting ‘feel good’ song to start the album. The teenaged voice of lead singer Bradley Will Simpson will appeal to a much younger listenership, but certainly shows talent and potential.

The very pop “Last Night” follows with another massive chorus, ripe for a road-trip sing-along; it’s the third single from the album and, understandably, was a top ten hit in the UK.

“Somebody to You” and “Can We Dance”, also singles from the album continue the catchy, acoustic vibe and are well written, constructed and mixed; incidentally, one of the writers of “Can We Dance” is Bruno Mars. “Girls on TV” is a nice little reggae tune but it falls a bit flat for an older listener, only due to the lyrics; but it would surely appeal to The Vamps’ demographic. To begin with, “Risk it All” sounds like it will be a ballad but quickly jumps into the band’s signature sing-along chorus.

A pop cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Cecilia” is an unexpected surprise and, possibly more surprising is that it works! The lyrics have been ‘freshened’ but the chorus and sentiment remains the same as the original. Halfway through the album comes the long awaited ballad, “Another World”, it’s musically very pretty, and its lovely lyrics are pleasantly poetic. Heading back to the acoustic-pop sound, “Move My Way”, “Shout About It” and “High Hopes” are upbeat, fun, and showcase the talents of guitarist James McVey, drummer Tristan Evans and bassist Connor Ball; the latter song being the best on the album. “Dangerous” takes us into some pop-rock and is a nice throwback to some rock bands of old with traditional riffs, choruses and a catchy bridge.

Probably most likened to UK’s McFly, or indeed the entire Britpop genre, Meet The Vamps is a well-produced debut album, which will appeal to a teenage audience, but the band have the potential to mature and flourish in the music industry for a long time to come.

Reviewed by Libby Parker

 

 

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