Feels so good it must be bad for me.
You remember The Vaselines right? They were that Seattle band that did all those quirky Nirvana covers? Kinda like a grunge version of The Moldy Peaches? Well they’re back. Unfortunately though since our leader Kurt’s def there’s no new Nirvana songs for them to cover, so they (gulp) had to write some new originals instead. (Editors Note: Ignore this entire paragraph.)
I heard the first single off the new Vaselines album a couple weeks back. It was something about the 80s sucking and nostalgia being stupid (I Hate The 80s). Unfortunately though despite the righteous sentiment it was kinda lame as songs go. But I dig this Scottish duo as much as ‘ol Kurt did so I bought the “Sex With An X” 7 inch anyway. And I gotta say I’m glad I did. Both songs on this one are leaps and bounds better than that anti-80s track I heard prior. Sex With An X is the best Camper Van Beethoven song you never heard. I can’t put my finger on it but there’s a quality here often imitated never duplicated that’s lost in today’s music. That being the proper marriage of pop, melody, and rock and roll. The guitar solo on the A-side kinda reminds me of the theme music for The Kids In The Hall for some reason (they’re back too in case ya didn’t know… maybe I just have them on the brain). Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee manage to be the best girl/guy rock duo since John Doe and Exene. I’m excited now for the upcoming full length (also on Sub Pop). So pick this one up. It’s a good time. Or pickup the recent triple 12″ (Sub Pop again) called “Enter The Vaselines” which is pretty much everything they’ve ever recorded up until now. Plus everything on Sub Pop comes with download codes and awww baby you (they) know what I like.
One more interesting note the cover art for this one is oddly similar to the cover for the new Mark Lanegan/Isobel Campbell album “Hawk” that also came out this week. Wassupwitdat? C’mon now rock photographers get it together! You’re making yourselves look stupid is all I’m sayin.
The Vaselines – Sex With An X from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.
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