Review Summary: Sometimes musical influences can be a bit too clear and this isn’t a deft one
Music trends nowadays tend to spin around in cycles. When I was getting into playing guitar there was a big classic rock ‘revival’ with acts like The Darkness popping up and doing things that hadn’t really been done by new bands for 20 odd years. They did it damn well as well but I don’t think anybody ever said ‘you know what, this band in 2005 is actually better than x classic band from 1985’ and that’s the feeling I get from quite a lot of Vexes’ full length debut ‘Ancient Geometry’.
It’s the elephant in the room so we have to talk about it - The Deftones influence on this is huge, in fact, if you like Saturday Night Wrist and White Pony I’d be very surprised if you don’t like this, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing (especially on Sputnik) it just leaves the band with a bit of a struggle for identity. The choruses have a wash of guitars, the riffs are down-tuned, often chugging and always meaty, the bass rumbles and has some nice licks without ever leading a song, the drums keep pretty steady beats with occasional nice fills and then the vocals are basically a really good Chino impression. I’m not sure how to say that last point without sounding like I’m hammering the performance because believe me I’m not as I LOVE Chino (he may be my favourite vocalist) so I’m not saying the vocal performance isn’t good, as it really is, it just doesn’t feel unique to this band. There are whispered bits, low key mumbles, soaring choruses, pained cries, throaty screams, that bit where your singing normally and then shout a word for emphasis and they even have a guest spot on one track where the vocalist comes in and raps like early Chino to complete the set (minus a classic ‘woo’)! I’d also suggest that the only times the vocals don’t sound like Chino are on a few choruses like ‘Lush’ or some sing then shout bits like on ‘Photocrom’ where in both instances the vocals sound just like Dustin from Thrice!
I’ll finish on the comparisons by saying that Vexes have only released one album and it’s absolutely normal to still be finding their direction and their own sound. What Vexes have presented us with though, is a very very solid collection of songs. Aside from the afore mentioned rap guest spot, which makes me cringe a bit, I liked every moment of every song here. All the choruses hit with a catchy hook, all the riffs are basic but catchy and get you nodding your head where you should, there are some nice guitar leads and melodies going on and whilst they haven’t found their own sound yet, Vexes are very proficient musicians and songwriters.
The album kicks off with a definite highlight track in ‘Helion’ with a real urgency that grabs your attention straight away, a nice choppy verse and then before you know it you’re hit with your first belting chorus. This really sets the tone for the album as you’re about to get hit with this formula repeatedly with the odd softer interlude section in between and some different pacing thrown in too but if I had once complaint other than the idolatrous nature of their sound, it’s a little bit of a lack of risk taking. A little bit more structure variation would be nice here and there but it’s also worth noting that these are polished well written songs, not, as often heard recently, a jumble of heavy bit/dreamy bit. A couple more highlights if you were looking to hear a couple of tasters of the album would be the more dreamier tracks ‘Decisions Are Death Here’ and the title track closer, if you don’t like the opener and those two tracks, this album is definitely not for you.
So there it is really. A very exciting debut in my opinion, just held back a little bit by a bit too much hero worship and a little lack of risk taking but I’m very excited to hear what they have in store next! Small point to add is that the Spotify album has three bonus cover versions tacked on the end of the album for their ‘Versions’ EP, the first of which is ‘Head Over Heels’ by Tears For Fears (or that track off the beginning of Donnie Darko when they first go to school as I previously knew it) which is really nicely done, but for the proper ‘Ancient Geometry’ listen through, finish after the title track.
