THE VINES, 'In Miracle Land' [re-imagined LP]

The Vines

IN MIRACLE LAND   (alt.)

Hate the Sound

Sky Gazer

Leave Me Alone

Broken Heart

Annie Jane

In Miracle Land

Waitin

Slide Away

Emerald Ivy

I Wanna Go Down

Gone Wonder

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Now this album just came out, but it could do with some re-sequencing to make it the best it could be, IMHO. I usually don't do albums that are this recent--but this should be heard. The Vines make some good tunes. All tracks taken from the new album. I cut "Willow" out and just switched things around for a more cohesive listen. Check it out for yourself?  11 songs at about 31 minutes.

The inability to tour and the diagnosis of frontman Craig Nicholls having Asperger's Syndrome being tied to that have waned the surge of popularity they last saw in 2004. Nicholls has carried on with varying line-ups and made at least three great records since then. 2006's Vision Valley was the follow-up to their 2004 supposed 'sophomore slump' Winning Days. Despite having a hit from that album with "Ride" (used in Nissan commercials), legal problems and the departure of bassist Patrick Matthews cut the supporting tour short. 2008's Melodia grew on me; the diminishing returns in songwriting seem to begin here, though. After 2011's Future Primitive, only Nicholls remained in the band before he would re-group once more. By 2014, not one but two LPs of new stuff was released on the 22-track Wicked Nature--a return to form to my ears. The Vines were now a trio once again and performing live again. This album--their seventh since 2002--was preceded in 2016 by a digital single release of the title track. As of current, Nicholls has reunited with the Winning Days line-up to perform at a couple shows in Sydney with their fellow countrymen Jet. In Miracle Land was released on 29 June of this year. The reviews have been good but mixed so far. Some of the complaints of the album's pacing are what led me to re-evaluate it and now here we are, superstar.

Cheers!