The Vinyl Reprisal and The ‘Graffiti’ EP.
The Vinyl Reprisal – Birmingham, England, United Kingdom.
The golden age for Indie music? Where would you place it? The early 2000’s or later in the decade nearer to now? It’s certainly a question of some relevance now, especially with the underground Indie scene producing some considerable talent.
For myself, Indie, particular Indie Rock, began to loose touch with the “Rock” in its name after bands such as The Killers, Kasabian, Franz Ferdinand began to shift and progress their respective sounds into something new. The new records were solid for the most part but the earlier drive was ebbing. Which is why it is now that we must discuss The Vinyl Reprisal.
Right off the metaphorical bat the band are new and it shows within the recording and mixing of their underground debut. Said recording could be better as could the mixing as a hazy grit is left behind but it isn’t the only kind of grit layered thick.
The band have strong tones of classic Punk, Blues and Post-Punk alongside their already raspy Indie Rock and with that hit with a catchy but moody and emotive chorus in a way that stands them apart from the more stereotypical upbeat side to the genre in ‘I’m So Bored’.
‘Kill Your Dreams’ is slower and stripped down with a mysterious gloom layered over via a Synth that I can’t decide on. The lead guitar tone and vocals shine again as the band keep you interested despite the track suffering particularly strongly due to its recording. At full force and quality, ‘Kill Your Dreams’ would surely make a “Hit” or whatever a good song is called these days.
The chunky dominating guitars of ‘Graffiti’ are gritty and cumbersome and the most upbeat so far as the Post-Punk gloom of The Vinyl Reprisal settles more at home for the eponymous track before the classic Punk influenced ‘Trash Talk’ takes the centre stage.
The track is full ill-descriptions and driving (The)Clash-esque Punk-isms across the board with ‘Garage Band’ coming to mind as the band deal with the bullshit around them. Again, a better produced version of this track would suit as would perhaps a faster rendition but that may come in time.
The final track of five is very much a Rock n’Roll number. The Vinyl Reprisal are for the most part sticking to their guns with the final track, with their slightly evolving sound managing to keep continuity with the EP as it simultaneously teases you with slight forays elsewhere.
The Vinyl Reprisal have certainly delivered with their simple but rough take on Indie Rock and have their foundation to progress from with the only real issue being the sonic presentation.
Graffiti is a fun debut. If an older Indie Rock sound is what you’re after it’s very much there and if you are simply more inclined to a more dated Rock sound lovingly tributing the past then then this is also the EP for you.
Find the band below:
- Social Media/Updates: Facebook, Twitter, Official Website.
- Music: bandcamp, SoundCloud, Amazon, iTunes/Apple Music, Google Play, Spotify.
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