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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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The Vanished
Favorite Scar (Kirkland Records)
By Justin Press
Drawing on their undeniable popularity, the four boys in The Vanished have essentially re-worked their 2004 debut disc for potential national prime time. This 10-track offering, while keeping the signature sweet flavor of the other Vanished recordings, makes clear from the opening track what the plan is: Stroke the radio.
In The Vanished’s defense, a band should do whatever it can to break through. Unless musicians are willing to play ball, major labels are more than likely gonna turn their heads. There are other puppies to housebreak, other multi-band Edge bills to be filled.
With all that in mind, this stuff is a homerun. It’s innocuous, and you can get pregnant to it. The vocals are silky smooth but with a polyester sheen, like matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas’ voice after it’s been dragged through a curbside puddle. The instrumentation, however, comes off a little cleaner, especially on “The Only Thing,” a rockish number with an ethereal feel, nice sustain on the guitars, and a strong, anti-kid-pop chorus. Bottom line: Favorite Scar is the kind of homegrown alt-rock that makes you wonder why Our Lady Peace is still on the radio and The Vanished isn’t.
Here’s the downside: There are maybe a gazillion bands that sound like The Vanished. A vast majority are worse. But a few are better. Some of ’em are even on commercial radio.
— Justin Press
Fri at Ridglea Theater with Generic, Solace, GV8, Greatness in Tragedy, Merkin, and the Back Hand, 6025 Camp Bowie Blvd, FW. 817-738-9500.
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