There are several reasons I like indie-pop band, The Vamps. First of all, the boy band market always needs a group that play their own instruments and The Vamps more than ably fulfill that criteria. Secondly, considering they are so young (compared to me), they are all so bloody talented. They fuse incredibly well together as a group with each member bringing their own little bit of charm to the table (not a literal table, obviously, it's just a saying!) Thirdly, there seems to be this non-stop barrel of energy about the group that is quite hard to resist (even when you are twice the age of the core demographic that makes up their fanbase) - their webpage, facebook and twitter isn't just for promotion (although they do this extremely well and could give master classes to upcoming pop acts), it's a virtual community that devours their every move. And luckily for that community, they have been jolly busy as it happens putting out insightful covers of the latest chart sounds - giving them a chance to show off their voices, their ability to deconstruct and reconstruct a pop song in a style that suits them, & show off their musical instrument talents. Here are 10 reasons why their Walks Like Rihanna cover totally rocks my socks off...
- 01 ~ They have a wit that appeals to me. "Far far away... in Devon" proclaims the start of the video, before clarifying that this only actually works if you are not near Devon. It's pointing out the important things in life that makes me happy :)
- 02 ~ Let's face it, Walks Like Rihanna is a frothy charmer. So frothy in fact, that it could have been the comeback single for One True Voice (check your history books, youngsters). And I'm OK with that. However, it is given a more organic, live sounding vibe on this live version that just gives it slightly more edge, that little bit more cool...
- 03 ~ Jaysus! That drum beat is something else. Acts as the driving force of the song, yet never overpowers it. Dude is relentless - no wonder he is so freaking slim. If I was going at it hammer and tongues like that (whatever that means), I'd burn more calories than listening to Girls Aloud's Greatest Hits on the cross trainer each morning. In short, he's very good isn't he?
- 04 ~ there are some lovely harmonies in the chorus. Very subtle which gives the tune some nice texture as well as a sweetness that gives this amped up energetic version some real heart...
- 05 ~ POGOING! You can't beat a good jump and down in a pop song. I mean sure, my belly jiggles slightly more than it used to and my knees ain't what they used to be (possibly why my nephew sings "you can't dance, you can't sing, but who cares - you walk like my Nanna"), but sometimes the music compels you and there you go. So join in with the boys, turn up the music and have a jolly good bop around your room. You'll feel all sorts of exhilarated afterwards :)
- 06 ~ the bit at the end of the second verse (around 1m54s) is one of those few seconds of music that just really works in a sit-up-and-pay-attention sort of way. It sets up a new energy for the second chorus and gets the listener a bit goose pimply. Or at least it does if the listener has any appreciation of music. And it's little bits like this that continue to demonstrate that The Vamp chaps certainly know what makes jolly fine pop...
- 07 ~ the guy who plays bass (conor?) has amazing pop star hair. When I try to get my hair to look a little bit pop star I end up looking a right muppet (Miss Piggy usually :S)
- 08 ~ Middle 8 electric guitar mayhem! It totally works :)
- 09 ~ What the number 8 bullet point has the effect of doing is setting up the brief pause before the "boom boom (our hearts go)" section of the song so it makes it far more convivial than The Wanted version. What I'm trying to say is that you can totally imagine The Vamps playing this in front of thousands of screaming fans and everyone singing back this part of the song in glorious, unified appreciation of a bloody good refrain. Again, more evidence that these blokes know the very essence & energy of pop...
- 10 ~ It's all bought to a breathless, exciting finish that wraps the song up nicely (i'm not a fan of the fade out). Bonus points for a cheeky little smile at the end and looking like they've deserved a nice cold beer (for the over 18s :D) So The Vamps - very good indeed then eh?
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