Track Listing

1. Highly Evolved
2. Autumn Shade
3. Outtathaway
4. Sunshinin'
5. Homesick
6. Get Free
7. Country Yard
8. Factory
9. In The Jungle
10. Mary Jane
11. Ain't No Room
12. 1969

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12388 in Music
• Released on: 2002-06-15
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Fundamentally, Highly Evolved, the debut album by the Vines, is about growing up in the 90s on a different side of the world. Year Zero is Nevermind, but lead singer/guitarist Craig Nicholls takes from Nirvana their Beatlesian pop imperative, not the rebranding of metal that catalysed so many mediocre grunge bands. He hears Britpop, but misunderstands it completely: instead of grey parochialism, the Sydney sunshine turns his melodies wilder, balmier--infinitely more appealing.

Highly Evolved, then, is the album we always hoped Nirvana would inspire, and the one we always hoped Supergrass might make. It lasts 44 minutes and has a dozen tunes, only one of them--the clunky punk reggae of "Factory"--remotely duff. Sometimes it races along with mad eyes and drool-flecked lips ("Outtathaway!", "Get Free"). Sometimes it reclines into a position of faintly psychedelic ecstasy ("Autumn Shade", "Country Yard", "Mary Jane"). Occasionally it does both in the same song (the climactic "1969") and leaves you gasping at the skill and audacity involved.

For Nicholls is, undoubtedly, quite an operator. His lyrics might be a little clichéd and his weirdness a touch studied, but there's no doubting the rare songwriting talent and the charisma with which he expresses it. These are songs so good they often transcend their influences: for once, the cop-out manifesto of "Evolution not Revolution" seems not just apposite, but utterly desirable. --John Mulvey

CD Description
'Highly Evolved' is the debut album from Australian quartetThe Vines. Screeching vocals are fused with thrashy garage punk, stoner rock epics, and rock 'n' roll riffs. Their angsty rock, and grunge influences have led to comparisons to Nirvana. Includes the singles 'Get Free', and 'Highly Evolved'.

Customer Reviews

aussie madmen journo bating release
To say that this release is hotly anticipated is like saying 'Brazil enjoy football'. Australia's latest global commodity finally release what the baying journalists have been m*sturb*ting over for months. Has it been worth the wait? Yes it has, but not exactly in it's entirety.

Contagious dystopic orientated thrash at times, 'Highly Evolved' is melodic and also patently naive on the vulnerable 'Country Yard.' The eponymous single is a 95 second pop thrash gusto, bringing with it comparisons to both Nirvana and The Beatles, neither are particularly apt. Whilst the likes of the N.M.E and Q go ga-ga for Craig Nicholls, often pantomime, swings towards insanity, it may be better to simply treat this release as a promise of things to come.

'Autumn Shade' is a ballad, pure and simple. Whilst 'In the Jungle' is bubblegum pop. So then, The Vines are more than just a Nirvana for the naughties. Hummable, affable, gloomy and owners of a fine debut, but charisma and zest do not necessarily a revolution make.

The hypes not misplaced just slightly inflated.

Vines Promise Great Vintage
Being heralded as the next Nirvana may be setting expectations too high, but the debut album from 'The Vines' does not disappoint. A bold statement maybe - but in my opinion 'Highly Evolved' is the best album since 'Nevermind'.
The Australian four piece have woven their talents together seamlessly to create a true rock masterpiece.

The first track 'Highly Evolved' sets the scene. Bursting with energy it demands your attention and prepares you for that next great album you've been eagerly awaiting. One by one the tracks follow, each staking their claim to be the next single.

From the excellent feedback fuelled guitar rifts and Cobain like vocals in 'Outtatheway' and 'Get Free', to the melodic and enchanting 'Country Yard' and 'Mary Jane', you'll be hanging on to every note and by the end - begging for more. Until then you can be assured that this album is going to keep you satisfied for a very long time to come.

Place this along side all the other greats for The Vines have not so much crept to the top - but exploded onto the scene with surely one of the best debuts ever !!

defining moment in music
In 1994 I heard Oasis' Cigarettes and Alcolhol and thought I hadn't heard anything so brilliant since the Sex Pistols.
Well guess wot! it's happened again!!! This album is a masterpiece. If you've had a bad day at work and people have got on your wick, try track 3, outtathaway. Put it on at full volume and scream along to it!! The last track on the album, 1969, is a cross between Chamagne Supavova and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. If you love music, this is a must. Simply brilliant