The Vines - Winning Days

Japanese version of 2004 album from the Aussie rockers features 12 tracks including 1 bonus track, 'Drown The Baptists'. Copy Controlled. EMI. Album Description

(Place cliche phrase here)

I've been reading alot of mixed reviews here and can already tell that the majority of people are either enthusiastic about this album or sadly disapointed. It seems to me that there is a growing lack of appreciation for quality music now-a-days, and that a massive majority are simply looking for an album that's full of radio hit singles rather than a quality piece of art with a few charting hits thrown in to spice it up. I don't know why everyone thinks that The Vines should be anything other than what they are... if you listen to the music and stop expecting to be reborn then you'll find that every single song on this album is beautifully crafted. Honestly The Vines go through so many genres on this album that they're difficult to point out and it's made even more difficult due to the fact that the band is so good at blending multiple styles into cohesive sounds. Anyway, it's my opinion that this album is better than the first... but it's simply an opinion. I'm a sucker for vocal harmonies and Craig (lead singer/song writer) throws in so many of them that you'll swear you're listening to a choir on some tracks. I'm a huge Nirvana fan, and I love the punk/grunge inspired tunes on this album... but I don't expect EVERY single song to remind me of Nirvana, that would be kind of monotonous don't you think? The Vines are VERY talented musicians and deserve appreciation for having the goods and continuing to bring them despite of everything that has been going on behind the scenes.

One of my favorites. If you like 60's era ANYTHING you will most likely love this album as The Vines are a modern twist on a vintage group with quality production. If you're looking for a dirty grit-fest of updated 90's rock, you'll find a few tracks on here that fit the bill... but they're not out to pamper your taste in music, they're out to turn THEIR feelings into works of art. If you like a band with balls, and can appreciate great musicianship then you'll really digg this album. July 1, 2008

AMAZING

I believe this is the greatest album i have ever heard in my entire life. It is my favorite album ever and i have gone threw 2 CDs and just bought it on vinyl. Highly Evolved was really good but this was better, and a lot better than Vision Valley. Vision Valley was a good record but this is much much better. I can not wait for the new record to come out this year. I hope its better (and longer) than Vision Valley.

-Tyler G February 28, 2008

A laid back Vines album

If you're looking for the gritty Vines you hear on the radio, this is probably not the best album to start with, but that is not to say this album is any less excellent than their others. Start with Highly Evolved and save this one for last. June 27, 2007

this rocks! now put it away

i remember the first album fondly. but i'm not reviewing the first album

the second album, winning days, is better than the first. it is everything i expected and more. i remember when this one was released and i almost felt compelled to buy it but then i remembered how little i listen to the first album anymore and every time i was tempted to pay money for the album i decided i'd wait until i found it in a buck bin.

now i work at a radio station and i got the album for free! so i listened and i don't really regret waiting so long. after all, they have a new one out already. right? and this is the first time i heard any of the songs.

the vines are underrated. there are some great psychedelic rock influences in the textural jams. but they are lacking melodicly. for me, there just isn't enough melodic development to really hold my interest.

or maybe i just don't hear it. after all, every posative review raves about it's melodic content. but me? i don't hear it. sure they have vocal harmonies but that doesn't mean it's melodic.

so now that i'm done listening to the album i probably wont listen to it again. for a long long long time. November 12, 2006

Better, Different, Sad, Crazy, Amazing Album

The Vines second album Winning Days put to show who the real fans were. All the "I listened to it because everyone else did and it made me part of the 'in' crowd" people drifted away because it wasn't an exact duplicate of Highly Evolved, the band's first album. It wasn't all screaming guitars and vocals. It wasn't the same.

Don't buy Winning Days if you're looking for two copies of Highly Evolved.

However, if you're looking for musical expansion, chilling vocal blends, and amazingly expressed sadness, then Winning Days is for you.

Even on the heavier tracks (Ride, Animal Machine), Craig Nicholls fails short on the expection of screaming his way through the whole track. In fact, he does a pretty good job singing through most of the album.

The harmonies (Autumn Shade II, Winning Days, Rainfall, Amnesia, Sun Child) really stand out.

The guitars aren't just screaming all over the place, they are part of a song, part of a blend of harmonies, bass, drums, guitars, and the trademark scream of Craig Nicholls.

This album is suggested listening for anyone who enjoys good music. March 5, 2006

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