The Vacancy – Heart Attack

The Vacancy released their debut EP last year through Pittsburgh’s famed punk rock label A-F Records, and it was able to put them on the map a bit; but they weren’t incredibly well known yet. Skip forward to now, and that is all about to change. These Pittsburgh natives are about to release their debut full length album, Heart Attack, through the same label, and one thing’s for sure is that this eleven track album – which is co-produced by Chris #2 of Anti-Flag, mixed by Bill Stevenson and mastered by Mass Giorgini – will definitely help get the trio’s name all over the place.

Straight from the opening song (and first single – you can see the video of it by throwing the disc into your computer) In The Backseat, you get a great feel for the band. The songs are hard, simple, and yet incredibly effective. There is never a weak spot where you cringe or reach for that skip button, instead you reach for repeat. All the songs fit together, as there is not really a single standout song throughout the course of the album; instead it is a steady flow of punk fused with rock ‘n’ roll. You get the urge to pump up the volume and sing along with the infectious melodies about sex, girls, sex, and then more girls once again. The vocals by guitarist Ben Dietels are strong and unique, leaning a bit more to the “rock” sound then the punk one, they are powerful and get implanted in your skull.

There isn’t much else to say regarding The Vacancy‘s Heart Attack. It is just simple and effective; a very solid album. You don’t feel like you are missing anything and are able to listen to it countless times without becoming bored. (Although after a while the vocals become a tad annoying, so after 4 or five listens I’d break it up with a new album to switch tempos a bit). It will definitely help get their name out there on a much bigger scale and I sure hope to hear these guys a lot more in the future.