VAIN

ENOUGH ROPE

RELEASED November 2011

There are some albums that you never forget and some bands that never grow old for you, despite the years and the previaling trends. For me Vain's debut album 'No Respect' was a revelation at the time and I still count it as a masterpiece today. I was lucky enpugh to catch the band live at their first few UK shows as support to Skid Row - now what a double-header that was! I also got to meet Davy and the guys on that tour and they were the nicest bunch of rock stars I have ever met. I still have a framed 12" of beat the bullet on my office wall as I write this. But that was then, this is now...

There have been a number of Vain releases over the years and of couse a Davy Vain solo outing a few years back. But what do you do when you create a piece of art first time round that was just so great that it just seems impossible to follow. Over the years there have been a number of bands in those shoes, but few who seemed to have the odds stacked against them as much as Vain, whose follow up to their debut only officially saw the light of day last year. Sure there were other releases and I loved them all, but none of them ever seemed to really consistently catch the spirit of 'No Respect'.

Well it's 2011 now and all I can say is that it's finally here. 'Enough Rope' is the album I'd always hoped to hear from Davy Vain.

Mark Rockpit

There's my 10c worth now read on for Glen's review...

VAIN – ENOUGH ROPE (Jackie Rainbow/Music Buy Mail 2011)

2011 has proven to be a great year for hard rock with a swag of brilliant albums being released from bands both old and new, one particular release this reviewer has been waiting for with much anticipation has been the brand new disc from San Francisco band VAIN.

A brief history for those unfamiliar with the band saw them swept up in the late 80’s frenzy of labels tripping over themselves to get the new Poison, Gunners or Skid Row on their roster. Island was the label they signed to and their debut disc the awesome ‘No Respect’ was heralded as a hard rock classic by fans and the press alike. The album went on to sell a respectable number and the band toured the UK to rave reviews but as they were poised to release their second album and firmly establish themselves as serious contenders they were dropped after one of many corporate label reshuffles.

Since then Vain have released six albums in total with ‘ENOUGH ROPE’ being the latest. While each and every one of their albums have been of the highest quality many fans have pined for the raw harder approach that was present on that legendary debut. Now some 20+ years later band leader and vocalist Davy Vain along with his faithful cohorts have finally delivered an album which will leave fans of those first two albums salivating over it’s killer songwriting, musicianship and production. In a nutshell the urgency and attack that made No Respect stand above the hard rock pack all those years ago is once again present in a huge way!

Opener ‘Greener’ sets the scene with a cool opening refrain and some great rhythm work from bassist Ashley Mitchell and drummer Tommy Rickard throughout the song. Perhaps a little subdued for an opener but after repeated listening it works perfectly, Davy spitting out a story of love gone askew a subject he seems to be well versed in.

‘Triple X’ is a fast paced musical romp not too far removed in feel to songs like Ready or Looking Glass from their earlier albums. ‘Hot Stage Lights’ is one of the many highlights of the album with Davy oozing sleaze and sensuality all over this one - the hypnotic chorus “take me home tonight, under your hot stage lights” pretty much sums it up!

Fourth track ‘Stray Kitten Burns’ is the most commercially tinged track on the cd reminding me a little of songs like Whisper or Dee Dee from the Move On It and Fade albums respectively. This is another one of the best tracks on offer with some great lead work from hot shot guitarist James Scott.

“Cindy’ is a tune that has been floating around unreleased since the days when the band hooked up with Steven Adler (Guns N Roses) back in 1993 and briefly changed their name to Roadcrew. A track long sought after by fans who have discovered it via YouTube and the likes and it’s great to see it officially released. It’s a little different in style with a more darker sinister vibe to it and perfectly placed mid-way though the album as is the tender ballad ‘Treasure Girl’ an ode to a fleeting romance with a girl from afar .

‘Enough Rope’ is another older tune reworked for the album – a great driving rocker with more great axework and some tasty drumming from Louie Senor. Davy’s unique vocal stylings top the track off and make it yet another highlight.

‘Solid Gold’ is one of few co-writes with Davy on the album, guitarist Danny West added to the credits here, it’s a fast paced rocker that on first listen didn’t grab me but it’s a slow-burner and again adds another flavour to the potpourri of excellence on display as does ‘Distance Of Love’ originally recorded for the overlooked 2009 project album ‘Delaney-Blaze And Ashes’ remixed and included here for those who missed it first time around.

Next song up is ‘Vain’ – a track seemingly named after the band but in fact the subject matter deals with a girl who’s just a little too conceited for her own good. The album closes with the raucous intensity of ‘Worship You’ an absolute corker of a track and the perfect close to a fantastic album.

While world domination may not be on the cards for Vain this late in the game it’s truly a delight to here the band firing on all sixes and putting out a release that not only stands up to their own lofty standards set by that debut album back in ’89 but also an album that stands up on every level against the current batch of first class rock releases of 2011. If you’re a fan of great rock music this is essential listening...now go out and buy it!

By Glenn Odin