The Vines — Vision Valley

The Vines have all the makings of a rock 'n' roll comeback story. This record comes on the heels of tepid reviews for their sophomore release, Winning Days, the departure of bassist Patrick Matthews and singer-songwriter Craig Nicholls being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. The only part that's missing is the kick-ass album announcing their return to form. Vision Valley feels like the work of a band trying to wade safely back into the water. While it shows several flashes of what made The Vines' debut so arresting — catchy garage riffs, punk energy and melodic flair — these elements rarely come together for memorable songs. The slower, more heavily produced numbers actually fare best, with the title track and "Take Me Back" deserving of multiple spins, while the harder tunes just feel like covers of the band's previous work. Clocking in at just over a half-hour, Vision Valley is much like Nicholls himself: slight, brittle and occasionally brilliant.

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