Review: The Vaselines @ Sound Control, Manchester

When: 5th Feb 2011

Reviewed by: Ross Baker

Having been tagged as “Kurt Cobain’s favourite band” (which has been a blessing to this storied Glaswegian act’s career) The Vaselines were back promoting recent release Sex With An X and bringing their catchy alternative rock to a receptive, if reserved, Manchester audience.

First up, though, are low-fi two piece Schwervon! whose quirky garage stylings were entertaining if unspectacular. Songs like 'Dodger', with their dual male and female vocals, fit right in with the sound of the headliners but while they had the geek chic appeal they lacked the pop nous required to really make their name just yet.

Since their reformation in 2006, The Vaselines have been on a tear; releasing two albums in as many years and touring extensively. As with The Breeders and The Pixies, their career revival has clearly lit a fire under the band. The Vaselines mix the raw and stripped down indie rock with the ever youthful voice of Frances McKee, giving this act their innocent charm without sounding annoying or contrived.

Of course many in attendance were waiting to hear the songs that Nirvana made famous, and The Vaselines didn’t disappoint as 'Jesus Don’t Want me For A Sunbeam' was tossed out early and 'Molly’s Lips' and set highlight 'Son of A Gun' also wooed the audience into dancing although they were strangely subdued for a Saturday night crowd.

It’s a shame that while being very cute and chorus-driven, the new material wasn’t in the same league as the older stuff and while the audience popped for the classics, the newer works were greeted with polite applause but not much else. Perhaps because of this, they relied on their cover version of Divine’s 'You Think You’re A Man' to close the set rather than one of their own tracks which might have had more impact, although it was hard to deny the 'Man/Boy' chorus refrain.

The Vaselines remain a curiously intriguing act who turned in an efficient and at times enjoyable performance. They still continue to rely on their legacy as opposed to making new music that stands out on its own. As catchy and accessible these veterans may be, tonight was a time to lose yourself in their dreamy alt. rock rather than truly fall in love with this enduring act.