Highly Evolved

Amazon.com
Hailed by a growing number as "the future of rock," the Vines are more a conglomeration of the best of the past. The Sydney, Australia, quartet sounds alternately like Nirvana, the Beatles, T. Rex, and even the Beach Boys (and, at times, all of those blended together). On Highly Evolved they present 12 flawlessly crafted songs, each one living up to the title of the album and first song. The wistful yearning of "Homesick," the breakneck force of "Get Free," and the gritty party of "Sunshinin" are proof alone of their deserved success. Sonically more complex than their stripped-down contemporaries White Stripes and the Strokes, the Vines write songs worthy of orchestration. But unlike White Blood Cells or Is This It, this album lacks cohesion. Each song is a world to itself, never quite uniting with the others. But such a critique, normally reserved for more established bands, shows the extent of the Vines’ accomplishments--getting compared to the greats your first time out isn’t too bad. --Laura Etling

Highly Evolved,The Vines,Capitol,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Highly Evolved

Average customer rating:

Back to the future!
One of the Best Albums of 2002!
My time's a riddle that'll never be solved
Absolutely love this band
nirvana number three

Highly Evolved
The Vines
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Winning Days
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Is This It

ASIN: B0000669JG
Release Date: 2002-07-16

Tracks:

Highly Evolved
Autumn Shade
Outtathaway!
Sunshinin'
Homesick
Get Free
Country Yard
Factory
In the Jungle
Mary Jane
Ain't No Room
1969

Amazon.com

Hailed by a growing number as "the future of rock," the Vines are more a conglomeration of the best of the past. The Sydney, Australia, quartet sounds alternately like Nirvana, the Beatles, T. Rex, and even the Beach Boys (and, at times, all of those blended together). On Highly Evolved they present 12 flawlessly crafted songs, each one living up to the title of the album and first song. The wistful yearning of "Homesick," the breakneck force of "Get Free," and the gritty party of "Sunshinin" are proof alone of their deserved success. Sonically more complex than their stripped-down contemporaries White Stripes and the Strokes, the Vines write songs worthy of orchestration. But unlike White Blood Cells or Is This It, this album lacks cohesion. Each song is a world to itself, never quite uniting with the others. But such a critique, normally reserved for more established bands, shows the extent of the Vines' accomplishments--getting compared to the greats your first time out isn't too bad. --Laura Etling

Customer Reviews:

Back to the future!.......2007-07-20

It looks like some of the things I wanted to say about this album have been pre-empted by the official Amazon review here. I think I can bring something new to these comments though.

Firstly, I bought this album as part of a two cd collection which cost around $15 here in Australia-Highly Evolved & Winning Days. Both albums featured songs that I knew and liked-Get Free for the first album, and Ride With Me for the second. At this price, I took a chance by buying this double pack.

I have heard that this band, along with The Strokes, were labelled "The future of rock" by some apparently influential British magazine. Having bought The Stroke's "Is this it?" because it was dirt cheap and I loved the song "Last night", I have to say that I do find The Vines' debut album the superior of the two [Is This It? seems to get mentioned as a great album-perhaps specifically a great debut album].

Anyway, Get Free is THE stand out track on this album. It's one of those instantly likable high energy rock songs-think along the lines of Blur's classic "Song 2". It's not quite in the same league as Song 2, but it is a very 'wild as' rock song in any case. Now, to the reason I called this review "Back to the future!": Get Free MOST reminds me of The Easybeats' song "I'll make you happy". The Easybeats were a very successful band in Australia in the 60's and had a one hit wonder worldwide, which was covered by the likes of David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen, in "Friday on my mind" [a true pop classic]. Recently, an industry panel here in Australia has voted the meeting of two of this bands members as the most significant moment in Australian music history. This claim does not strike me as manifestly absurd. "Get Free" SOUNDS like The Easybeats at their best, but with a more modern rock aesthetic-the lyrical structure is similar to the Easybeats, as well as the backing vocals too. Seeing as The Easybeats featured the elder brother of AC/DC founders Angus and Malcolm Young, one could perhaps assert that The Easybeats also influenced AC/DC with regards to backing vocals.

Now, for other reasons I called this review "Back to the future!": in various songs, you can hear a hint of Nirvana, or The Kinks, or The Beatles or Pink Floyd. Perhaps The Beatles & John Lennon are the strongest influence on this album and that's perhaps why that British magazine took so well to The Vines.

Perhaps the best songs after Get Free are:

Highly Evolved-has a hint of Nirvana to it, grungy guitars and shrieking vocals at times.

Outtathaway-this has a nice clean riff to it and, as for many songs on this album, the lead singer having doubled up vocals on the track, or backing singers. This song has a grungy/garage band sound at times.

Country Yard-again, a touch of Nirvana to this song, with Beatle-esque/Lennonesque vocals, perhaps a touch of The Kinks, lyrics or topic wise, and the introductory riff from Pink Floyd's classic "Wish you were here". This is the kind of song that could grow on you-it's sort of a ballad, with sedate vocals and a very nice almost falsetto vocalisation at times, which is quite catchy. Very dreamy/trippy song.

Some other notes I made on this album-mainly to do with similarities I noticed with other music:

In The Jungle-has what sounds like Metallica's bass line from "Enter Sandman", which may also have borrowed that from a Deep Purple song.

Autumn Shade-features accoustic guitar, piano. A ballad that has a hint of The Beatles/Oasis [which themselves often homage The Beatles] and Pink Floyd. Has distortion at the end which bleeds nicely into the next track.

Homesick-Beatle-esque/Lennon-ish, reminescent of the latter Australian band Jet, which often seem to pay homage to The Beatles [and which is probably why Oasis helped them with their second album]. The vocals are overlayed, again, and there are nice piano and bass melodies in this song. The outro is Beatle-esque...sounds like backwards noises.

Ain't No Room-this song had a touch of The Strokes to it, but I don't know which band could lay claim to that sound first, The Strokes or The Vines.

Lastly, I have to say that this album is an album album for me [i.e.the whole album is very listenable and it could reward further listens, beyond just the 'hit' of this album, "Get Free". Like I say, a song like Country Yard is a real 'grower' of a song-rewarding repeated listens.

The album moves from dreamy ballads to punk rock type of stuff. It does this in an engaging way. Personally, I think that this album is more interesting than Is This It?, even though Last Night is an original song with lots of melodically interesting things happening in it.

P.S.

I've reviewed the following Australian artists at this site:

Midnight Oil
INXS
Johnny O'Keefe
The Saints
Rogue Traders
John Farnham
Skyhooks
Alex Lloyd

One of the Best Albums of 2002! .......2006-02-12

Highly Evolved is one of the best rock albums I have ever listened to and I listen to everything! This cd came out in 2002 and since then I have not stopped listening to it and now we are in the year 2006. As soon as this album grows on you there is not turning back. This album is a must have!

My time's a riddle that'll never be solved.......2006-02-10

Say what you will about The Vines but what is hard to dispute is the fact that they play catchy music. The truth is, though, that although the entire CD is catchy, only about half is really good.

The Vines have that burden of only being amazing when their music is of the harder variety. Slower songs such as Autumn Shade just feel depressing. However there is the occassional exception, such as Homesick, which sounds like it was ripped straight out of The Beatles catalog (vocals and all). But songs like Outtathaway and Get Free are songs, no matter what you do, will somehow get in your head. The dual vocals The Vines sport works at times, but then sometimes they drag down the pace of the track, so it tends to be hit and miss.

The guitar work brings back the feel of the grunge scene that was so popular in the 90s. I don't mind that however, I loved that period of music and the fact that The Vines, quite successfully, put their own twist (albeit a small twist) on it is something I really like. So while they're not particularly breaking any new ground, and the songs tend to lack that certain distinctiveness, The Vines are a good band full of potential.

My favorite songs are Highly Evolved, Outtathaway, Homesick, Get Free, and In The Jungle. This is the type of CD that is sure to grow on you, given some time. Overall the CD does drag more than I'd like it to, but it's still a very upbeat, straight forward rock record that is sure to please a lot of people.

Absolutely love this band.......2005-12-05

The Vines are my favourite band ever. I love how they can play great rock and roll music, but also have the talent of playing some really soft, almost beatle-like songs.(Mary Jane, Homesick)And can pull it off pretty good.
I have this album, but it has the cover of the import, but it doesn't have sun child demo...weird. But that doesn't matter because I have Winning Days aswell.
I was also wondering why this album has only 4 stars! All the songs on Highly Evolved are incredibly catchy, and easily get stuck in your head. I found that none of the songs were filler. With a good mix of rock, and soft ..rock, this music just appeals to me. I also like how these guys are from Australia..(Also check out Jet.)
Great songs include: Highly Evolved, Autumn Shade, Homesick, Outtathaway! Country Yard, and Mary Jane.

I Highly recommend this album, aswell as The Vines' second album Winning Days.

nirvana number three .......2005-12-03

the vines are a copy of nirvana god could they take any melodies from nirvana and try to make them their own, my answer is no
i bought this album listen to ten minutes then turned it off and went and got a refunded
craig nicholas the wacky lead singer trying to outspace kurt cobain as the hectic singer but failing miserbly and looking stupid god he can't sing he just screams...and his lyrics well i don't need to say a word...
just because he wears a green cardy got the same face as kurt and he thinks he's a genius HMMM no to be a genius you got to have talent and craig you have no talent
the vines are as bad as silverchair at being a nirvana copycat band

Average customer rating:

Put The Amp On Crunch And Play
Crunch meets pop
The Vines - Highly Evolved
SUCH a good cd....
The essence of grunge rock... or is it?

Highly Evolved

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Winning Days
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ASIN: B000066AC5
Release Date: 2002-07-01

Tracks:

Highly Evolved
Autum Shade
Outtathaway
Sunshinin
Homesick
Get Free
Country Yard
Factory
In The Jungle
Mary Jane
Aint No Room
1969
Sun Child (Demo)

Album Description

Japanese edition of the Aussie indie act's 2002 debut album features one bonus track, 'Sun Child' (Demo). Toshiba / EMI.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

Put The Amp On Crunch And Play.......2005-12-15

The Vines are yet another grunge influenced band.With a mildly distortioned guitar and out of the world vocals.
The obvious single is "Get Free" with it being so short but so catchy,raw and new.
"Highly Evolved" is The Vines debut album and the first track."Highly Evolved" is incredibly short too short.A very good song it feels so fresh and primal.

Craig Nichols did a really good job on the vocals, already landing their own sound right off the bat."Autum Shade" is very mellow ecspecially after "Highly Evolved".Though the mellowness fades and you get "Outtathaway" the third and final rawest song.(I already mentioned "Get Free",that comes about 3 tracks later).
"Country Yard" sounds alot like the chords played in Nirvana's "Rape Me" though this song isn't a knock off an entirly
different structure.

Whats nice about The Vines is even though grunge influenced them so didn't a large variety of other genres and artist.Hearing "Factory" will give you a good idea.(A "Magical Mystery Tour" meets Elton John kinda sound)"In The Jungle" is a great song,the guitar isn't impressing but the way every overlapse each other is impressive.The song falls completely in place with each roaring instrament one could get lost, but not The Vines."Mary Jane" is a fan favorite as it's just simply melodic and well written.
"Aint No Room" seems like it would be single worthy for many other bands ,but with The Vines other amazing line up of songs it feels almost like a forgotten gem.

I found all these songs to be great in their own way, each worth listening to more then once.A stunning debut album.

Crunch meets pop.......2004-03-05

Reminds me of one my fave '90s bands -- Urge Overkill -- in that way.

The Vines - Highly Evolved.......2004-01-03

The Vines, a new autralian phenomenon. Aggressive guitaring and blistering vocals from lead singer craig nichols sets the scene for the vines but this album shows a softer side to the group such as the melodic tracks "Country yard" and "Mary Jane". Each track on this album is its own story which reaches extreme highs and slides down into seducing tones, attacking your senses. Leaving with the un-mistakeable raw of "Get Free", this album is a must to anyone from a Beatles fan to a Nirvana rocker. Buy it now then join the que in waiting for the next album.

SUCH a good cd...........2003-12-02

When I first bought this CD, I didn't think it was anything special. I liked the songs "Get Free" and "Outtathaway!", but i never really liked any of the others to give them a good listen.

However, that was when i was young and foolish, and now i have come to very much appreciate all of these songs (especially Mary Jane *ahem*) So here is each song and what i think of them now with my newly aquired wisdom, among several things.

1. Highly Evolved- nice up beat song, i like the vocals on it
2. Autumn Shade- very mellow, good song
3. Outtathaway- if you're more into the grunge scene, a great song
4. Sunshinin'- not my favortie, probably their weakest song
5. Homesick- awesome song, nice guitar solo and mellow chorus
6. Get Free- i love the vocals on this song, nice and fast
7. Country Yard- wonderful lyrics, i also love the vocals; they show off the vines' talent
8. Factory- good song, reminicsent of the beatles
9. In The Jungle- great song, i love the beat and the way it speeds up and slows down
10. Mary Jane- AWESOME song, in my opinion the best. the lyrics make you think and the vocals rock
11. Ain't No Room- alright song, nothing special but great to listen to
12. 1969- this song doesn't have a very consistent melody, but the guitar solos blending with the vocals makes for a great song

The essence of grunge rock... or is it?.......2003-08-23

The Vines rock. They are not the best garage band to ever cross the music scene, but they do capture some of that essence in their diversity of songs, not all of which are grungey. I particularly love the guitar riff in the middle of 'Homesick'. It's just a tale of yearning in itself.

Average customer rating:

Highly Evolved
The Vines
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Garage Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000068CAU
Release Date: 2002-07-02

Tracks:

Highly Evolved
Autumn Shade
Outtathaway!
Sunshinin'
Homesick
Get Free
Country Yard
Factory
In the Jungle
Mary Jane
Ain't No Room
1969

Average customer rating:

Highly Evolved / Sun Child
Vines
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000068ONJ
Release Date: 2002-07-09

Average customer rating:

Chewing on a couple of Vines tracks increases my hunger
(Highly Evolved: 5 Stars) ( Sun Child: 3 Stars)
The Future?
The Future?
Such an Unbelievable New Band

Highly Evolved

Manufacturer: Emi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000063XZT
Release Date: 2002-04-29

Tracks:

Highly Evolved
Sun Child

Album Description

Import single & title track off the Aussie alternative rock act's 2002 album. Tracks, 'Highly Evolved' & 'Sun Child'. For fans of Nirvana, The Strokes & The Hives.

Album Details

Debut Single from the Highly Acclaimed Aussie Band's Upcoming 2002 Highly Anticipated CD. This Single Has Been Compared to Nirvana as Vines Craig Nichols Told Nme ' I Think They Are a Big Influence on Us'.

Customer Reviews:

Chewing on a couple of Vines tracks increases my hunger.......2002-07-08

The title track, Highly Evolved, is an instant single waiting to happen! It's as infectious as anything the strokes and the whitestripes can muster on their best days. The second track, Sunchild, is not as catchy, but is still worth having since it is NOT going to be on their Debut release. It is a slow, acoustic romp that is still very enjoyable. I would have given the single a 5 if it just had 1 more song, but alas, you can't have everything you want. However, it is a must have for any VINES fans in the making. If you like the single "Get Free," you must Get This to tide you over until their highly anticipated album is released. Believe me, their songs live up to the hype. I have seen the Vines live, and their set is Highly Evlolved indeed!

(Highly Evolved: 5 Stars) ( Sun Child: 3 Stars).......2002-06-26

Ah, the Vines. The newest "Next Big Thing" in rock and roll. While they're not the next big thing, they are very good. "Highly Evolved" is a fantastic song that brings to mind the early days of Nirvana. However, it is very short.

The next (and last) song, "Sun Child," is not as good as the title track. It is a lo-fi sounding track, with acousticly strummed chords and guitar parts played on an electric guitar. Although this is a good single, I would suggest waiting to buy the Vines' debut full length "Highly Evolved."

The Future?.......2002-05-30

Upon first listen to the Vines debut album "Highly Evolved", it's easy to classify them as catchy, yet derivitive. And this is true. However, there is nothing wrong with catchy, as long as it's done right (the pixies), and there is nothing wrong with derivitive, as long as it's done right (the strokes). After all it's impossible for any new band nowadays not to be derivitive, for the simple fact that, musically, everything has already been done. How you mold and craft your influences into your own unique interpretations shows your true skills. The Vines have done a damn fine job at this with their own songs, while still not being afraid to let there influences show. Songs such as "Highly Evolved", "Get Free", and the almost too catchy "Factory" draw blatently from the Beatles and Nirvana, but still maintain their own "vinsey" sound which was captrued quite well by producer Rob Schnaph (Beck ,Elliott Smith).It's hard to tell wether or not they will live up to the hype generated by playing just four shows in England this past winter, and even if they don't, at least we still have another good, fun new rock band to enjoy and watch evolve.

The Future?.......2002-05-30

Upon first listen to the Vines debut album "Highly Evolved", it's easy to classify them off as catchy, yet derivitive. And this is true, however, there is nothing wrong with catchy, as long as it's done right (the pixies), and there is nothing wrong with derivitive, as long as it's done right (the strokes). After all it's impossible for any new band nowadays not to be derivitive, for the simple fact that, musically, everything has already been done. How you mold and craft your influences into your own unique interpretations shows your true skills. The Vines have done a damn fine job at this with their own songs, while still not being afraid to let there influences show. Songs such as "Highly Evolved", "Get Free", and the almost too catchy "Factory" draw blatently from the Beatles and Nirvana, but still maintain their own "vinsey" sound which was captrued quite well by producer Rob Schnaph (Beck ,Elliott Smith).It's hard to tell wether or not they will live up to the hype generated by playing just four shows in England this past winter, and even if they don't, at least we still have another good, fun new rock band to enjoy and watch evolve.

Such an Unbelievable New Band.......2002-05-14

These guys, the vines, sound alot like the Strokes with more distortion and grunge-influence. They are already stars in England and they're native Australia, and since the success of an indie act in Britain usually is followed by success in America(The Strokes & White Stripes) , these guys should be huge in a year or two, after their debut album comes out Summer 2002. Really, these guys are unbelievable. Beautiful melodies and rock intensity. Easily as good as the Strokes and just as cool. Buy it.

Average customer rating:

Highly Evolved/Winning Days
The Vines
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Garage Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000A06VKI
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Highly Evolved
Autumn Shade
Outtathaway
Sunshinin
Homesick
Get Free
Country Yard
Factory
In the Jungle
Mary Jane
Ain't No Room
1969

Tracks:

Ride
Animal Machine
TV Pro
Autumn Shade II
Evil Town
Winning Days
She's Got Something to Say to Me
Rainfall
Amnesia
Sun Child
F.T.W.

Album Description

First two albums packaged together. Highly Evolved was compared favorably to Nirvana and the Strokes at the time of its release in 2002. Winning Days was the second album from Australia's wildest exports, famous for both their exhausting live shows and mind-bending off-stage antics. It's a more melodious follow-up to their debut, though the winning formula of nervous energy and shuddering crescendos remains firmly in place. EMI. 2005.

Album Details

Special Edition that Combines the Tracks of the Australian Rockers' First Two LPs in a Set of Two Compact Discs. Features the Hits "Outtatheway", "Ride (An Ipod Ad Theme)", "Get Free" and Many More.