English Graffiti
by The Vaccines
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: May 26, 2015
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 46
  3. Negative: 1 out of 46
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  1. m_sawyer
    May 27, 2015
    10
    The Vaccines return with a real coming of age album that shows their past, hints at the future, and sounds really good now. Even when they tone down a bit, they are sonically seductive. 'Minimal Affection' is one of the stand out tracks that just show how complete they have become, and the rest of the album (together with the 'Deluxe' version edits) reminds of 'AM' in terms of easyThe Vaccines return with a real coming of age album that shows their past, hints at the future, and sounds really good now. Even when they tone down a bit, they are sonically seductive. 'Minimal Affection' is one of the stand out tracks that just show how complete they have become, and the rest of the album (together with the 'Deluxe' version edits) reminds of 'AM' in terms of easy listening and sounding diverse, but complete. Here's hoping the boys will be with us for years & years to come, earning critical acclaim and stardom alike while growing musically.… Expand
  2. Ricko
    May 12, 2017
    8
    I liked The Vaccines debut up to a point. It was catchy and had a few good singles but ultimately it didn't hold up well to close inspection. Album number 3, "English Graffiti" is a far more ambitious and confident record with a more expansive sound. They've still got their roots in Indie rock but it's as much psychedelic rock as indie rock with The Vaccines now resulting in a higherI liked The Vaccines debut up to a point. It was catchy and had a few good singles but ultimately it didn't hold up well to close inspection. Album number 3, "English Graffiti" is a far more ambitious and confident record with a more expansive sound. They've still got their roots in Indie rock but it's as much psychedelic rock as indie rock with The Vaccines now resulting in a higher liklihood of the band enduring longevity than I would have thought possible after their debut.… Expand
  3. nirvanafreak
    Jun 3, 2015
    8
    I'd already heard some vaccines songs from their previous two albums but they never quite pulled me in like this album. This was a fun listen although if I had to criticise one thing it would be the slightly slower songs as I didn't get the emotional effect that I assume was desired
    Fav track:Denial
    Least fav track:Give me a sign
  4. ElroyRosenberg
    Jun 13, 2015
    8
    Another very good record from The Vaccines. Perhaps it's not the most consistent record, but when it hits, it hits hard. The instrumentals are much more refined on English Graffiti - where What Did You Expect...? had loud, distorted and pack-a-punch guitar riffs, English Graffiti finds a way to include more nuanced, subtle melodies amongst the lavish guitar production. Songs like "Want UAnother very good record from The Vaccines. Perhaps it's not the most consistent record, but when it hits, it hits hard. The instrumentals are much more refined on English Graffiti - where What Did You Expect...? had loud, distorted and pack-a-punch guitar riffs, English Graffiti finds a way to include more nuanced, subtle melodies amongst the lavish guitar production. Songs like "Want U So Bad" and "Dream Lover" are the reason why they one of my favourite upcoming acts - although not every track here is a hit, at worst every track has replay value, and the best of the best are arguably The Vaccines' most diverse and stunning songs.… Expand
  5. ottojan-dg
    Aug 4, 2015
    4
    A mixed bag that switches between semi exciting ("Handsome", "20/20", "Radio Bikiki") and awfully boring ("Minimal Affection", "Denial", "Want you so bad", "Maybe I Could Hold You"...). Makes you want to give their previous records another spin, which is never a bad thing.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. PopMatters
    Jun 24, 2015
    80
    Far more often, though, in spite of its breadth or maybe because of it, the album sounds like the Vaccines’ most natural yet. They just might be elder statesmen in the making.
    Read full review
  2. Mojo
    Jun 10, 2015
    80
    A forward-looking treat. [Jul 2015, p.87]
  3. Magnet
    Jun 8, 2015
    60
    This is about as '80s nostalgic as you can get without voting for Margaret Thatcher and hoovering up a pile of Peruvian flake. [No. 121, p.61]
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