Artist: The Vacation
Album: Vacation
Label: American Records
Tracks: 11
Length: 34:48
Review by: Luke Kruse

 

You know what the world needs?  A band on a major label like The Vacation that borrows heavily from The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and The Stooges.  A band like this would bring “real” rock music back to the mainstream and no-talent clowns like Nickelback would disappear forever.  

 

“But what about Jet?” you say.  “Didn’t they steal from classic rock bands and get loads of radio play right alongside Nickelback?” 

 

Good point.  Jet wasn’t very good, either.  Neither is The Vacation.  Bands like The Vacation are fine playing local bars on weekends or staying in the garage, but serve no real purpose outside of just being a mindless listen.  Sure, they are good on their instruments and aren’t Nickelback, but does the world really need a second-rate AC/DC or Rolling Stones when a person could go to Best Buy and pick up Back in Black or Exile on Main Street just as easily and have an essential rock record?  The answer, if you are wondering, is no.

 

Vacation, from what I can gather, is exactly the same record as their 2004 release Band from World War Zero, but re-released on a major label.  Apparently the band gained a bit of a following in the UK, and are poised for a stateside push.  With song titles like “Destitute Prostitute” and “White Noise,” it is no surprise that the 11 songs here are all big dumb rock songs with glam choruses and little in the way of substance.

 

If you could not get enough of Jet or are looking for a modern update of your favorite classic rock bands, you might want to pick up Vacation.  Otherwise, it will take a better and more original band to come along and make radio forget about Nickelback.