The Vines - Anysound(Single)

Wed 13th Sep, 2006 in Music Reviews

The Vines’ latest single, ‘Anysound’, is most definitely a highlight off third album Vision Valley as it is an undeniably catchy, explosive tune. Despite the speedy duration of the song (it clocks in at under two minutes) it effectively uses the time, as one doesn’t get the feeling the song is too short. This is possibly due to the soaring fifteen-second guitar solo.

‘Anysound’ is a traditionally constructed rock song with a change of pace at the anthemic and easy to sing-along chorus, catchy and fairly jutting guitar hook, along with Craig Nicholls’ distinctive slur infused scream. His vocals sound fresh, rested and not too strained as they have on previous recordings. The simplicity (and possibly self-reflection??) of the lyrics ‘I am a Vine/All twisted and frayed/Lookin’ for light/A million ways… Keep for yourself/Or throw it away/Damage your health/Or manage your brain’ additionally reveal Nicholls’ talent in songwriting.

The B-sides are highly enjoyable and further reveal the aptitude of this band. The second track, a “country version” of ‘Get Free’, is hardly countrified but rather a slower, understated version of the original. However Nicholls’ screams come as a surprise but really add to the excitement of this version. The extra two B-sides are remarkably decent demos of ‘Gross Out’ and ‘Going Gone’. The quality of the band’s performance in these demos is impressive and reveals The Vines’ talent and how they do not need much production to get the album sounding as crisp as it is.