Best known for its late 1980s singles that would eventually be covered by Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, Glasgow’s the Vaselines always wielded a severe wit and displayed a sturdy bit of feminism amid its sometimes surprisingly candid lyrical content.
Preoccupied might be a bit strong to describe the relationship Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee have with fleshy concerns. But over the Vaselines’ career, they’ve made more than a few references to sex (“Sex Sux,” “Monsterpussy”), including 2010’s Sex with an X, the band’s return to recording after almost 20 years away from a studio. On the new V for Vaselines, though, Kelly and McKee refuse to be so brazen. The lyrical approach coincides with a broader rock sound, provided by players from Teenage Fanclub and other Glaswegian musicians, that wasn’t absent in earlier recordings, just subservient to clever simplicity.
V is still rife with the examination of interpersonal relationships—there aren’t gruesome details, though. And despite this being a Rosary Music release, almost nothing separates the Vaselines’ work here from traditional rock fare. McKee’s vocals, as lilting as ever, join with the omnipresent mid-tempo rock ensemble vibe, leading Kelly through choruses, as on “False Heaven.” The song, while sporting a rather traditional structure and only hints of distorted guitar, features the thudding low-end that spurred Kelly and McKee on so many years back. That the pair’s able to rally a similar, but aging, fervency now is a testament to their talents, as well as the benefit of having taken so much time off.
“One Lost Year,” this time helmed by Kelly, offers up some gloomy perception of life, contrasted with lyrics about the loveliness of finding someone to spend a bit of time with. The song’s title, though, sums it up. But along the way, the Vaselines show off some pop simplicity with just enough bite to retain ties to a rougher-sounding past.
As their third album in 25 years, V for Vaselines showcases a surprisingly staid band, but one that occasionally flashes its early brilliance for listeners. Whether the new disc has the ability to connect with fans who aren’t being courted by Cobain, though, remains to be seen.