Vandas, The - In The Morning (EP)
» Dallas Crane - Ruby's Lounge and Bar, Vic - February 3, 2007
» Dallas Crane - Peninsula Lounge, The, Vic - January 21, 2007
The Vandas are a four-piece heralding from Melbourne via Adelaide and Sydney. Consisting of Gus Agars (drums), Chris Altmann (guitars), Julien Chick (bass) and Mikey Madden (guitars), they embody good Australian rock in true blue spirit. Bearing the moniker of one half of a prolific songwriting pair is no easy task, but these are artists more than worthy of carrying the torch of creative songwriting in the current musical landscape.
The group have released their new EP, In The Morning, the follow-up to their debut disc, Didn’t Come Here To Be Alone. Part self-produced and part produced with the assistance of Paul McKercher; The Vandas have proven yet again that their music surpasses that of many others.
The disc begins with title track, 'In The Morning'. It is a bluesy, love song discussing the process of falling too deep into love. It is an all too real summary of the pleasure of love’s spirit and the pain that can be everlasting if a heart is broken.
Next we then turn up the volume for 'I'll Be Alone'. Whilst nodding to fellow rockers, You Am I, this rocking, simple song is perfect for you to sing along to with one hand around a mate and the other clutching a cold one, as it ironically unifies people by extolling the virtues of being a solitary soul.
Contrast this with 'Tell Me What To Sing'. Whilst orchestrating some beautiful acoustic guitar, it crosses the Neil Young terrain explored on 'The Needle And The Damage Done' and album, Prairie Wind. The song is a wonderful ballad and begs the question, how can a group of artists go from producing straight-up rock to country in a snap? The answer is don’t question how, just let your ears enjoy the aural feast.
The penultimate track, 'Three Months Gone' is a groovy track inciting toe tapping, hand clapping and dancing with youthful exuberance. With its immediately infectious, catchy riff and chorus, it has the necessary elements of a good pop song.
Finally, the disc closes with the initially harsh, dark and brooding 'The Desert Sun'. This instrumental is not quite what it seems as it also opens up to reveal a tinge of sweetness and some acoustic guitar.
In conclusion, In The Morning is another bunch of well-written, diverse songs covering varied musical territory and outstanding additions to the group’s catalogue. One gets the impression that this is the beginning of some superb writing for this colourful band and let’s hope the current offering propels them straight to the top where they rightly belong.
