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The Vacancy

Heart Attack
2005
A-F

The Vacancy - Heart Attack (Cover Artwork)

Review by: KirbyPuckett
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Published on March 1st 2005

To all the kids who frantically type “do all the bands on A-F have to sound like Anti-Flag? Isn't one Anti-Flag bad enough?” please take the time to read the following review, because I’m tired of your lack of originality and precision.

The Vacancy are A-F Records’ bastard child. On a label generally known to be solely political based on the national success of Anti-Flag comes an emotional rock outfit with songs about girls as opposed to the G.O.P. A slew of lineup changes since last year's debut EP has caused a shift in the band's overall sound. The songs are not only more mature in content, but the musicianship is noticeably stronger amongst the current trio. Technicality-wise, the production by Chris #2 of Anti-Flag and mixing by Bill Stevenson combine for a powerful sound.

Heart Attack’s first single “In The Back Seat” is a strong opener with upbeat riffs coupled by catchy verses and choruses that would fit well on a mix CD between Alkaline Trio and Taking Back Sunday. Taking notes from “Failure By Design” from Brand New, “Anthem” is just what the title suggests, the album’s standout track pegging itself as 2005’s “Cute Without the ‘E’.” With a toe-tapping bassline and a chorus to sing along with whilst playing air drums on your steering wheel, concluding with a harmonious piano. Anti-Flag’s musical influences rage out with a clearly distinguishable bass riff in “Debutante,” while its followup “Hey There” emphasizes the modern guitar heavy rock‘n'roll the band is capable of pulling off. The remainder of the album is not nearly as strong as the first half, as much deters between filler and songs not fully utilizing their potential.

Lyrically, Ben Dietels is not as strong as contemporaries Jesse Lacey or Matt Skiba. However he is capable of writing a solid song, apparent by the jaunty rocker “Get Up! Get Out!” Some might even find fault in his vocals and it’s justified. At first they’re burly and out of place, but by the conclusion of the record Ben’s relaxed style adds an indistinguishable benefit.

While it is nowhere near perfect and there are certainly other records in the genre that are more deserving of your buck, Heart Attack is still a quality debut album. It’s a straightforward rock album on A-F Records that does not spoon feed you political jargon, but it's not as trite as the majority of records sharing the sound. For a band that was on the limp half of a teeter totter there has been quite a shift in vigor as the Vacancy have harnessed their abilities as a band and hint at significant potential in the future.

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Posted by AdamSocial on 2005-04-28 01:22:28

Oh, and PS - This is one of the best records this year.

www.pittpunk.com

Posted by AdamSocial on 2005-04-28 01:21:37
My Score:

Wahhhhh! Wahhhhhhhh!!!! We don't like anything!!!!

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 5, 2005 at 10:02 PM (EST)
My Score:

Abercrombie and Fitch has its own pop-punk label now? Thats lame.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at 5:55 PM (EST)

the vacancy touched me in my special place.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 11:08 PM (EST)

I like against me! alot.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 9:03 PM (EST)

Who the hell doesn't want to hear more Anti-Flag?

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 8:27 PM (EST)

nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples nipples

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 4:18 PM (EST)

Boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies! boobies!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 4:12 PM (EST)

i bought this album and the cover made my penis horny. so i started to masterbate and my mom walked in on me. she said that is the work of the devil, so she put my penis in scalding hot water. now i'm an impotent eunich. thanks guys in the vacancy for putting out such a rocking record.

stumpy lives on. CREAMYPIES!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 3:23 PM (EST)

no offense, Kirby, but maybe, just MAYBE, this site should have somebody who lives OUTSIDE of the pittsburgh area review these guys (or any other pittsburgh band, for that matter).

I get the feeling people around here think these guys are ok, but everyone else thinks they absolutely suck.

just a thought.

AF sent me this, not Brian or anyone w/ PNdotO.

- Kirby

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 9:19 AM (EST)

like aus rotten? then listen to behind enemy lines

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 7:19 AM (EST)

the only reason they even put out a CD is because Ben used to be in Whatever It takes until he got kicked out for being so shitty so Chris 2 felt sorry for him and wasted money on these morons. they have an even worse EP out. they walk around pittsburgh acting like rock stars when their the biggest losers ever, ask anyone in the pittsburgh scene and theyll agree how lame this band is, they wont even play their own cd release show since they were scared of getting their asses kicked for being so pathetic

fuck the vacancy, you can polish a turd but its still just a turd, calling this shit is a complement

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at 11:18 PM (EST)

the score is for pittsburgh and its dying scene but for some good punky bands try modey lemon, tabla rosa, and zao.

for some open minded non-punk jams try flowdown... yves jean band and i am sure sooo more good stuff...acouticy try thecloseriget
~quinn

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at 5:56 PM (EST)

well i hear they're nice guys....

but i really think that single is boring.
boring boring boring.

anyone have some suggestions on good pittsburgh bands to listen to? it's sad that this town is known for anti-flag and aus rotten. there has to be something better

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at 5:48 PM (EST)

Posted by CorpseOfMyMotivation on 2005-03-01 14:43:27

I saw these guys in 2003 with None More Black, Against Me! and Rise Against (best tour ever) and readlly couldn't get into them. It seemed like everyone else there felt the same.

Posted by Inspection12e on 2005-03-01 12:46:17
My Score:

The mp3s I listened to were terrible.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at 11:25 AM (EST)

this album is amazing. so much so i tried to fuck the cleveage on the cover. mmmmm creamypies.

Posted by boldredletters on 2005-03-01 11:15:34

i saw this band once and they sucked. the end.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at 10:32 AM (EST)
My Score:

sounds like bad Alkaline Trio to me. AF shouldn't try to catch every trendy wagon already in motion, cause they will always sound déjà-vu... maybe those guys will find their sound in the next full lenghts but this record is totally unnecessary...

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at 10:24 AM (EST)
My Score:

gross dude... this sucks.

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-03-01 00:41:57
My Score:

I hate anti-flag but I the label is pretty good. You can't fuck with The Code and the Methadones.

Posted by crossfiyaaa on 2005-03-01 00:34:37
My Score:

THIS.BAND.BLOWS.

Just as bad as the anti-flag ripoffs. A not-as-good Taking Back Sunday? No one likes the real TBS in the first place. Ugh.