{"id":54664,"date":"2017-06-04T07:36:17","date_gmt":"2017-06-04T12:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=54664"},"modified":"2017-06-04T07:37:08","modified_gmt":"2017-06-04T12:37:08","slug":"vain-rolling-with-the-punches-music-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2017\/vain-rolling-with-the-punches-music-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Vain | Rolling With the Punches"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Derric Miller<\/span>
\n– Managing Editor —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"Vain is one of those bands that were both everything addictive about Sleaze\/Glam Rock but also one of the reasons WHY it died a thousand deaths when Grunge took over. In essence, you can blame it on lyrics like this, from the track \u201cBeat the Bullet\u201d off of their biggest album No Respect: \u201cYou got temptation in your eyes; now one and one is two.\u201d Well, it certainly was sturdy math, but it paved the way for bands that sold more hot dogs than albums too, like Wild Boyz. <\/p>\n

Before you take this review the wrong way, Vain was better than most bands of their ilk. \u201cBeat the Bullet\u201d was a catchy, hooky song that had no soul, but people ate it up. Singer\/songwriter Davy Vain, though, had a lot more skill up his sleeve than he was showing at the time, and through the years, he should have garnered a lot more respect than \u201cBeat the Bullet.\u201d Think Jani Lane and \u201cCherry Pie;\u201d that song didn’t tell Jani’s story now, did it? <\/p>\n

Or, if you need to hear proof, listen to \u201cTurn to Sand\u201d from the album On the Line. That whole album is to be reckoned with, but \u201cTurn to Sand\u201d is all Pink Floyd atmosphere, haunting with emotional brilliance. It’s not just Vain’s best song; there are a thousand bands out there who will never write anything that good. <\/p>\n

Davy Vain figured shit out, in other words. <\/p>\n

It’s been six years since Vain has released new music with Rolling With the Punches<\/em>. The self-titled track gets things kicking, and like most of their music, it owns a sexual vibe, something you can groove to, hopefully with a lustful partner \u2026 or two, but who’s counting. It’s Vain. Davy somehow has both an innocent and slutty delivery; it’s smooth aural sleaze he emits, on key with intense lust and power. <\/p>\n

\u201cLong Gone\u201d is a guitar-driven anthem, much like something you’d find on the aforementioned No Respect. There’s more guitar leads and fills than in the past though. It’s sort of a sexually threatening track, but that’s with someone getting turned on by said threat. Another turn-it-to-11 composition from Vain. <\/p>\n

The slower they get, the better Vain is. It’s not a ballad or softening of the sound by any means, but the songs tell more of a story, the compositions become more complicated and you get a fuller picture of what Vain is, or can be if they want. \u201cDark City, they clipped your wings that’s what I heard \u2026 that’s what I heard\u201d is the refrain on \u201cDark City\u201d and the melody just drips from the way Davy bites those words as he sings. <\/p>\n

\u201cBury Some Pain\u201d is another slower song, another story worth telling. When Davy sings, \u201cYou’re like a holy grail; I keep wanting to drink from you\u201d it’s not nearly as dirty as it could be. It’s Vain, how lovey-dovey can they really get and be authentic about it, anyway? <\/p>\n

If you have to go with a \u201cbest\u201d track, it’s probably \u201cDon’t Let It Happen to You.\u201d This is one of the harder songs on the release, seemingly straightforward, about young strippers leaving it on the stage night after night. Davy’s vocals, though, are driving and as strong as you’ve ever heard as he reaches for the notes when he sings the warning of, \u201cDon’t let that happen to you!\u201d Sing along to it and see how your voice handles things. Hope your breathing technique is up to par. <\/p>\n

As you’d expect, Vain doesn’t close anything out with nuance. \u201cShow Your Love\u201d ends the punch rolling, a fevered, jerky song with some crazy-cool guitar riffs. Not like Vain is going to be overly glorified for their musicianship but the guitar playing\u2014riffs and solos\u2014is the best on the release. <\/p>\n

So the naysayers will probably not pay attention, and the true fans will find everything they love about Vain. Here’s hoping those in-betweeners at least give Rolling With the Punches a whirl. A lot of bands from that era gave up over time, and they should have. Vain is not one of those bands. <\/p>\n

Genre: Hard Rock, Glam<\/p>\n

Tracklisting:
\n01 \u2013 Rolling With The Punches
\n02 \u2013 Deliver The Passion
\n03 \u2013 Long Gone
\n04 \u2013 Dark City
\n05 \u2013 Bury Some Pain
\n06 \u2013 It\u2019s a Long Goodbye
\n07 \u2013 Inside Out
\n08 \u2013 Don\u2019t Let It Happen To You
\n09 \u2013 Sacrifice
\n10 \u2013 Show Your Love<\/p>\n

Label: Jackie Rainbow Records<\/p>\n

Online: www.davyvain.com <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: [usr 7.6 size=20]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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