Helix Vagabond Bones
by Derric Miller
Staff Writer
There have recently been a few ’80s bands who reunited and actually accomplished what the Killer Dwarfs once wrote an anthem about — to “keep the spirit alive.” Danger Danger and KEEL are two of those bands who released new music that either equals or surpasses their past recordings, and now that Helix is back together with almost all the original members (including Brent Doerner and Greg Hinz), they achieved that summit as well. Their new studio album, Vagabond Bones, will bring a grin to your face and a beer to your mouth, and there’s little you can do to stop it …
One of the new ingredients the band added when writing the new release is Sean Kelly, the guitar hero and also lead man in Crash Kelly. Although Kelly had to leave the band for Nelly Furtado pastures, he was in Helix long enough to co-write the entire album with lead singer Brian Vollmer, and his talent helped Helix write the best songs they’ve penned in decades.
The title track, “Vagabond Bones,” is a bluesy, bare-knuckled bar rocker that is all smoky melody and actually, funny as well. When Vollmer sings, “You’ll never see my name on the walk of fame,” you can hear Helix doesn’t take themselves too seriously.
Up next, “Monday Morning Meltdown,” may be the most melodic song ever recorded by Helix. The chorus is Beatlesesque, while the verses are actually classic Helix. The song, about a man who basically goes on a weekend bender and wakes up in jail, is the most addictive track on Vagabond Bones. In a few ways, it’ll remind you of Enuff Z’ Nuff as well, but it’s more gritty and less … weed-y. Vollmer is one of those lucky singers who can bring the heat and edge, but also can smooth it out and croon when needed. (Teaching the Bel Canto vocal style obviously has kept Vollmer on top of his game, and then some.)
In an interview with Hardrock Haven, Vollmer told the story about how he came up with the track “Hung Over But Still Hanging In.” He was talking with Russ Dwarf (Killer Dwarfs) and that was Russ’ proclamation when Vollmer asked him how he’s doing. It stuck in Vollmer’s head until he got it out in song. You can tell the band used to imbibe heavily, with lines like, “I drink for nothing and I drink to forget. For no good reason and I ain’t done yet. Got a liquid education, and PhD, in alcoholic toxicity!” Again, the bluesy vibe carries through the composition, and the backing vocals are huge, thanks in part to the aforementioned Dwarf adding his vocals to the track.
“Best Mistake I Never Made” is the mellowest song on Vagabond Bones, sort of an acoustic, almost new country song (in a good way). Helix always writes with a sense of playfulness, and hearing Vollmer sing, “She was the best mistake I never made, the heaviest price I never paid,” you have to smile … because damn near every person can thank Lady Luck things didn’t turn out worse. It’s actually a true story, and Vollmer is baring his soul telling you what could have happened to him, and how grateful he is he ended up with his current wife and not the “shiniest pistol in town.”
The band released “Make ‘Em Dance” as their first single, and it’s a huge sing-a-long anthem. The hit-factor on almost all of Vagabond Bones is off the charts, and this is just another gem for Helix. Pumping, fun as hell, and buoyed with a quirky and repetitive guitar lead, this one bops around in your head for hours after just hearing it once.
Helix somehow sounds rejuvenated. Considering they released their debut 30 years ago, it’s impressive as hell that their newly found love for creating Rock N Roll shines through in every track. Vagabond Bones is good the first time you hear it, and better each listen after, which should be the goal of any studio album — you don’t digest it all at once. You should have a different favorite song on various listens of an album, you should eventually relate to different songs in various capacities, and you should want to keep coming back to the album again and again. That being said, you should pick up Vagabond Bones today.
Label: Perris Records
Online: www.planethelix.com
Track listing:
1. The Animal Inside (won’t Be Denied)
2. Go Hard Or Go Home
3. Vagabond Bones
4. Monday Morning Meltdown
5. When The Bitter’s Got The Better Of You
6. Hung Over But Still Hanging In
7. Best Mistake I Never Made
8. Make ’em Dance
9. Jack It Up
Hardrock Haven Rating: 8.4/10