It is probably about time that I stop thinking of the guys in The Vintage Caravan as “those kids from Iceland.” While they’re still very much from Iceland, they are now (as of 2021) 15 years into their existence as a band and have just released their fifth album. They have definitely paid their dues and are well into what is looking to be a long and esteemed career.
I hurry to add that the ‘kids’ comment has never been meant as a slight on them. When I first came across the band in 2011, they were still in their teens and had just released their first album. It was impressive as heck and they were playing like maniacs, coming up with innovative (and intricate!) material that sounded well beyond their years. It was incredible to see them perform in early music videos, with Mrs. Norselands and myself uttering things like, “Gosh, they look young!” and “Holy heck, look at them play!” They always had such raw, unbridled talent, and as a music fan, it has always been deeply satisfying to see them continue to develop and live up to their potential.
Starting early has other benefits as well – how many bands can say that they are 15 years into their careers and still have a good handful of years to go before they hit 30?
Monuments is their fifth album, which sees them continue to expand within a very (as their name indicates) vintage expression. They play a mixture of progressive, psychedelic, and classic hard rock of the 1960s and 1970s with a modern twist. Their sound is personal and unique, not too unlike other power trios from the time that they emulate. The band’s influences include Rush, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Mastodon. They often state that they love “hard hitting riff fuelled music” and fit well within that description themselves.
Whispers leaves no doubt about who The Vintage Caravan are and what music they play. An intro with a psychedelic twist leads straight into a full-on rockout moment, with the band hitting a huge-sounding groove. Their songs often have a lot of momentum while mixing several musical ingredients together in a way which makes the music uniquely them. Their knack for coming up with catchy stuff that at the same time is fairly complex, often progressive, and excellently performed is one of their strongest traits.
As if to show that they are very far from a one-trick pony, the next track Crystallized starts off with a syncopated riff that is played slowly – almost tentatively. This is extremely effective, revealing a band with a lot of light and shade in their music who are fully able to have amazing moments without relying on energy and volume. The song if full of intriguing build-ups and retractions, at times venturing into energic full-on grooves, only to back down later, but it retains a deep intensity throughout. This is a perfect showcase of the dynamics in the band, which is one of the most impressive qualities they have – but far from the only one. A highlight on the album.
Can’t Get You Off My Mind is a good example of a more straightforward song from The Vintage Caravan, revealing that even when they go for a more basic melody their playing can’t help but contain small flourishes and an overall virtuoso approach in their playing. Rush’s influence on the band is clear in this regard, and this approach in their playing is a huge part of their attraction IMO, so they shouldn’t hide it. This song is successful in being the best of both worlds – it is accessible, but also very much a representation of who they are.
An acoustic guitar starts off Dark Times with a tantalising melody which turns out to be the chorus melody, although the song quickly morphs into a full band treatment as it takes off for the stars with intense momentum. Said melody is very memorable, giving the song a strong chorus melody and one of the song’s many hooks. The very percussive middle section is another one. It’s as if they can’t help but add all these little highly interesting sections to their songs. Classic Rock Magazine referred to this song as “psychedelic Iron Maiden” and that’s not a bad tagline at all.
It’s time to bring out the lighters (if people even still use them) for This One’s For You, which takes us into ballad territory. Given how the other songs that have started tenderly have eventually taken off, you almost wait for the same to happen here, but although there is a slight build into a full-band sound, this remains a very sweet and tender song through and through. It suits the album well to have a song like this at this point on the album after all the rather more energetic displays so far.
When the band brings up the energy levels again on Forgotten, it signals the beginning of a mid-album epic. The track is over eight minutes long, taking us through several passages and sections while retaining a basic theme. It starts with the band breaking into a huge-sounding riff, and before you know it, they will have gone through that and half a dozen more of the same quality just a few minutes in. The track goes even further in repeatedly dishing out irresistible hooks and entrancingly powerful and multifaceted arrangements.
One of the band’s strengths is their ability to gradually build a song into the heavens towards a climax, and with more time at their disposal, they make sure to set it up perfectly. As we’ve been getting used to by now, many of their songs contain an instrumental section as we get a little over halfway through the song, allowing the band to take off as they go on a musical expedition. In this song, that section is longer than normal, and all the more satisfying.
Sharp Teeth contains what has to be the most intense intro on the album, while the song itself is a solid slice of 1970s-style hard rock. The expected instrumental section bursts with energy and creativity as the band flies towards the heavens. They hammer down groove after groove, eventually bringing it all the way back home in a very satisfying manner. Torn In Two is a song very much of a similar vein, eventually going into a instrumental section containing loads of counter riffs, supergrooves, and technical finesse – as well as one of the best guitar solos on the album.
There is something extremely enticing about Hell. On the surface it is more of a straightforward rock song, yet it is full of haunting moods that give it an otherworldly quality. It is one of the less intense songs on the album musically, while providing a more lyrically tense expression as it delves into the darker territory of heartfelt angst. The mixture of strong melodies with light and shade makes this a song that is likely to stay with you after it’s done. Definitely one of the better songs on the album.
The album is very consistent, which is ably demonstrated by the track Said & Done. If you are going to hold anything against the album at all it is that a lot of the tracks with the groove and jams and mighty-sounding guitar riffs can come off as a bit samey at first listen. As you delve deeper you will notice that the tracks are more different than at first sight with a lot of unique approaches. This track, for instance, has a lot of start-stop percussive flourishes running through it – how could I miss that at first? Probably because a lot of the initial focus is on the intense and catchy guitar riffs, but you will peel off layers and keep discovering new things the more you listen. This album is much more than it first can seem.
Clarity ends the album on an extremely high note. It starts off on a very laidback and melodic note, more than anything feeling like a lullaby. A lovely, calm piece of music where the band shows that they are more than capable of providing something different without losing their quality of songwriting or performance. This pensive and dreamy track is a lovely surprise in every way, all the way through its lengthy instrumental ending. It is the perfect atmosphere to accompany a journey’s end.
The Vintage Caravan have never been better than on Monuments. The album is simply speaking a tremendous effort. It sees the band at the top of their game, doubling down on their greatest trademarks with more textural vibrancy and melodic intrigue than ever before. The Vintage Caravan always had greatness in them, and it feels amazing to see that they just keep getting better. I hope they get the audience that they so richly deserve.
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