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Highly Evolved
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 18 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 49 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Capitol
Release Date: 16 July 2002
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Alternative, Rock
Summary
2001 gave us The White Stripes and The Strokes; 2002 gives us The Hives and The Vines. This Australian four-piece outfit is the latest rock band to be hyped to stratospheric proportions (and an instant major-label contract) by the UK rock press, who compared the Vines to Nirvana (the band, not the concept). But although the Aussies did indeed get their start as a Nirvana cover band, there is a bit more to their debut album 'Highly Evolved' than Grunge, Part 2.
Also By This Artist: Melodia Vision Valley Winning Days
Also On The Web: Fan Site Official Vines Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
New Musical Express
They’re a shaggy-haired, surf’s up pop band and painfully vulnerable all at the same time.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
The Australian quartet's debut album justifies the fuss that followed its title track's bubblegum approximation of Nirvana. [July 2002, p.121]
Blender
If you're this good, it's not hype. [#8, p.126]
Dot Music
As a debut album, 'Highly Evolved', for all its faults, can be an energising proposition.
Read Full Review >Alternative Press
It's rare for a band to channel the Velvet Underground, Nirvana, Dandy Warhols and the Beatles within the span of 45 minutes and sound unique, but the Vines have crept into that select category with Highly Evolved. [Aug 2002, p.86]
All Music Guide
Unlike many other pop postmodernists, the Vines never sound weighed down by all the influences they include in their music -- it's as if they're so excited by everything they hear, they can't help but recombine it in unique ways.
Read Full Review >Uncut
The Vines' place in the rock gene pool is shaped by elements of controlled guitar thrash, often complex harmony, bubblegum psychedelia and polished piano-driven ballads with an early Seventies whiff. [Aug 2002, p.116]
Splendid
For as good as the majority of the tunes here are, the grandiose scope of Highly Evolved turns out to be a bit more than the young quartet could chew.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
A strange mix of songs that, while varied, doesn't boast much personality of its own.
Read Full Review >CDNow
Highly Evolved is clunkiest on long, drawn-out stuff like "Homesick" and "Country Yard," but singer Craig Nicholls has most of Kurt Cobain's shrieking mannerisms down, and, like most grunge, the band's simple three-chord rock is most exciting when played extremely fast.
Read Full Review >Playlouder
OK, so it tails off towards the end, and there's something rather dishonest about a band so young releasing a track like '1969', but even then it's quite endearing to see them trying to build such an immediate mythology around themselves.
Read Full Review >Neumu.net
It's hard to figure out exactly why everybody is so excited about this record.... There is something there to like -- plenty, in fact. But it is also disjointed and sometimes maddening.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
The record's big-rock sound works against it, as does its back-and-forth swing from melodic Britpop to room-filling volume.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
The Vines get credit for ambition, but Highly Evolved covers so much ground that none of it seems convincing: there's just no emotional depth here.
Read Full Review >Drawer B
The album definitely has a few remarkable moments, but it’s really just not very good.
Read Full Review >Village Voice
The Vines have trouble faking both the depth of feeling and the noisome mischief that good garage-punk requires, and the two rote Britpop numbers they tack on don't help.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 49 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Lunastar gave it a10:
This album is amazing. It was just so different from what was out there when it came out (and is still extremely enjoyable almost 4 yrs later)! Craig's vocals are something new and refreshing that you don't hear very often. Not only can he carry a tune, but when he screams it's not that hardcore shit that people have tried to pull off lately. I think when they came out people kept trying to group them with Nirvana, but they're just so different...which is so obvious with this CD. This is truly one of those CDs you can listen to from beginning to end without skipping the fluff in between!!! I suggest you buy this...as well as the new album coming out (Vision Valley) on April 4th in the US!!!
robbie d gave it a9:
this cd is awesome. im sorry that the critics dont see it. ohh wait they love the white strips though. the white stripes are terrible. the vines are awesome i mean this album rocks..if u want to get hype listen to outtatheway, and if you want to chill listen to mary jane or homesick so many good songs on this cd
Collin C gave it a9:
Critics suffer from a case of over-analysis. They wanna be the first to make a comment that hasn't been made. This is a clean mix of dirty rock. As a musician myself, I realize the genious of writing. It's about writing something that is catchy. That's genious. The vines have a great skill in making music that grabs you and rocks you, whether you want it to happen or not. This album is a beautiful concoction of the obvious chord progression and simple arrangement with tasteful and impeccable musicianship. It's a pleasant paradox.
Kate J gave it a 10:
This is the best thing I've ever heard. I love vines. I love Craig Nicholls. They're Best
Mariah M gave it a 10:
Damn. This album rocks to the core, I think it surpasses anything I've ever heard. I love how the songs can shift from a ripping mess of guitars and pounder drums, to a sweetly lulling melody of charming tune. Craig... I can't describe him. He's like some other species. He's crazy that's for sure, but how can you NOT love him? He's not insane crazy, but wild as hell. Though, he can seem pretty off his rocker some times, eh? He seriously did get free, free from what people think of him. He doesn't care, does what he wants, and never keeps his hair under control. That's what makes him great, aside from being so ridiculously attractive...-dies- He has his own way of doing things, that should be filed under "Nicholls, Craig". And if you think otherwise, keep your mouth shut, or you won't have one in the morning.
Diana M gave it a 10:
Craig Nicholls is the hottest and greatest singer alive! I especially love the song Mary Jane.
john b gave it a 9:
This is a great album from a truely gifted band. I saw them live in Hartford, Connecticut and was even more impressed. Can't wait for the follow up. Does anyone have any news on when it's due?
