What Did You Expect from the Vaccines?
by The Vaccines
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: May 31, 2011
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 66 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 66
  3. Negative: 1 out of 66
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  1. Rikardsen
    Apr 21, 2012
    6
    They don't really sound like the strokes as people have been saying, they sound more like a mixture of we are scientists and the fratellis. Its definitely not original but is catchy, 'Wetsuit' and 'If You Wanna' being a couple of great tracks. Not exactly groundbreaking and will be slightly cringe worthy in years to come. Maybe not one to put at the top of your record collection.
  2. Hackskeptic
    May 31, 2011
    6
    When The Vaccines are raw, careless and imperfect, they deliver great tunes, and the first 82 seconds of the album prove infinitely more invigorating than the remaining 35 minutes. "Wreckin' Bar (ra ra ra)" is the brilliantly unabated surge of magically dumb garage rock we'd been warned to expect. Much of the rest is a collection of mainly dull mid tempo effigies of other bands influences.When The Vaccines are raw, careless and imperfect, they deliver great tunes, and the first 82 seconds of the album prove infinitely more invigorating than the remaining 35 minutes. "Wreckin' Bar (ra ra ra)" is the brilliantly unabated surge of magically dumb garage rock we'd been warned to expect. Much of the rest is a collection of mainly dull mid tempo effigies of other bands influences. "Post Break Up Sex" may draw attention for its revealing lyric, but the melody is tired and formulaic and does nothing to enhance Justin Young's obvious feelings of emptiness and guilt. "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?". Frankly not much, which was duly delivered, so one guesses its mission accomplished for another band yoked by the support of NME. They have my sympathy. http://hackskeptic.comâ… Expand
  3. 2hip2beahipster
    May 31, 2011
    6
    Okay, yeah they aren't original at all. They sound like a load of different bands, the Ramones, Sex Pistols, Strokes, Interpol, all those bands and more. I can sit here and name them all but that'll be a waste of time. This album is a good album, that's it. They have some catchy tunes on here like Norgaard, If You Wanna, Blow It Up, All In White. There's nothing wrong with havingOkay, yeah they aren't original at all. They sound like a load of different bands, the Ramones, Sex Pistols, Strokes, Interpol, all those bands and more. I can sit here and name them all but that'll be a waste of time. This album is a good album, that's it. They have some catchy tunes on here like Norgaard, If You Wanna, Blow It Up, All In White. There's nothing wrong with having influences. It's their debut effort, this album can only make us wait for their sophomore release when perhaps they mature more and take all these great sounds they have going right now and develop it into their own.… Expand
  4. matt__
    Jul 5, 2011
    6
    After seeing these guys do an awesome performence of If You Wanna on Jay Leno, or Letterman, or whatever, I did expect a lot from The Vaccines. However, I was disappointed for the most part. The songs are too simple, the lyrics are too dull and there are only two songs that I find to be worthy of further listening (If You Wanna and Wetsuit). All in all, its not an awful album and its not aAfter seeing these guys do an awesome performence of If You Wanna on Jay Leno, or Letterman, or whatever, I did expect a lot from The Vaccines. However, I was disappointed for the most part. The songs are too simple, the lyrics are too dull and there are only two songs that I find to be worthy of further listening (If You Wanna and Wetsuit). All in all, its not an awful album and its not a great album. Its merely ok.… Expand
  5. normankant
    Aug 5, 2014
    6
    This one is a powerful record, in which you will find energy, catchy hooks, raw guitars and cool melodies. There's no innovation, the band just wanted to make carefree music, not thinking too much on it, and they succeeded in doing it. Its problem is that it's just a fun record. Nothing more. For this reason, its vote can only be a 6. Nothing more.
  6. yesplease
    Jul 1, 2011
    5
    Don't believe the hype. The songs are pleasant enough to be listenable but annoying enough to make me hate the band. Hopefully they drop off the radar soon because, in my opinion, they've already overstayed their welcome.
  7. j30
    Jan 18, 2012
    4
    The is a very average album at best, musically and lyrically. While some of the songs stick, most of them do not. Surprisingly, I'm interested in what they'll do next. This album is overrated (particularly by NME) and kind of boring (and I like this genre of music ex. Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, etc.. Love it).

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Most Discussed Album of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Beats Per Minute
    Jun 6, 2011
    41
    What Did You Expect has its moments, albeit brief ones.
    Read full review
  2. The A.V. Club
    Jun 1, 2011
    91
    The Vaccines do a good job of turning up the drama during their more restrained moments, resulting in a rare species: the well-rounded pop-jugular album.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Jun 1, 2011
    50
    It's style for miles and miles unencumbered by hooks and accentuated by an attitude that carefully practices disdain for its audience, so if you're not inclined to buy into their gait there's not much reason to stick around.
    Read full review
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