The Vasco Era - The VascoEra

Mon 10th Oct, 2011 in Music Reviews

The Vasco Era are a fantastic live band. They are electric, unpredictable and exciting, with their live energy adding an x-factor music. On their new self-titled record they seem to have finally captured this live energy and smeared it across their vibrant new collection of songs.

On paper the Melbourne lads shouldn’t be that exciting; simply drums, bass, guitar and a shouty bloke. But what they lack in a ground breaking sound they make up for by mixing cathartic and introspective song writing with revved up rock ‘n roll. This record is about moving onwards and upwards and this theme is none more prevalent than on Chemicals Run Out. Sid O’Neil caws “I have suffered the delusion of significance but sister I am no longer there” over spacious guitars that crescendo in an explosion of distortion.

Buzz-saw guitars swamp the record with nary a ballad in sight, while bass player Ted O’Neil and drummer Michael Fitzgerald thunder over the album, rendering songs like Rock And Roll Is The Only Thing That Makes Me Feel Good needless of any lyrical justification. Sid’s animalistic howls during the chorus make the hair stand up on the back of your neck and ensure that you’re feeling as good as they are.

The focus on pop melodies has faded since their 2010 effort Lucille and it is Sid’s reedy, quavering voice that adds the most character to the record. As he shakes out off kilter melodies in Na Na Na Na you keep expecting his vocals to crack and wimper, but instead they accelerate into ferocious roars and joyful screams.

The short break between albums has been a boost to their creative powers and, while their new record is lacking in a big single to help galvanise the record, their latest offering contains some of their most attention grabbing and interesting songs to date. Managing to balance intelligent lyricism with feel good, shoot-from-the-hip rock and roll, The Vasco Era have truly staked their claim as one of Australia’s finest rock bands.