The Vacancies - Tantrum (www.Blackheartrecords.com)

"Compound" opens the disc like a stick of dynamite with a short fuse. They get their message across in like, fifty seconds. From there the songs are a little longer, but they don't lose any of the band's intense lyrical or musical prowess. Each song is punctuated by either power chords or a melodic melody, or both. This is not that whinny pop punk, they kick out the jams releasing anger and tension through loud vocals and loud instruments. Sliding away from the more melodic/sing along style of pop punk, The Vacancies offer a genre that is genuine, creating music that is both identifiable and fresh. The style is fast, sometimes angry, and strips away the basics with intense guitar licks, dead-on bass lines, and top notch vocals. The attitude, music, and the vibe that The Vacancies extrude is real, and definitely worth the price of you putting down your dollars for an outstanding album. "Believe" has that one in a million hit single feel to it ("I don't believe in the new religion, I don't believe in these politicians.../ I Believe in you.../ I believe in my STEREO!" Dang! It's like something The Bouncing Souls should have written! Hey, we all know that if nothing else, your stereo will never let you down (unless on coarse your record player needs a new needle). It's got all the making of a big hit single. The Vacancies (www.thevacancies.com) know how to make a record FEEL. Music should never be too good, too tight. It should excite you. The Vacancies music
is suppose to make you feel good. And I've always had faith that if I feel good, others will too.

- Phil Rainone