Poster boys The Vamps have been having a whale of a time with their rock – pop debut working well in their favor. Class apart from 1D, the band has got their own fan base, though it might clash with pin-ups like those mentioned here, to other boy bands The Wanted or solo acts from Ed Sheeran to Sam Smith.

The quartet were in Mumbai for a whirlwind tour this October and going by the crowd that came to watch them, they still have a magic going for them.

Bradley Simpson, James McVey, Connor Ball and Tristan Evans, who met and formed the band via the medium of social networks, bring out 24 tracks on this Indian Edition of their album. The first 8 tracks are yuletide favorites and zip from the snappy Jingle Bell Rock, to We Wish you a Merry Christmas, Jingle Bells ending the set with Silent Night. The four members also add their own melodies for the Christmas season. If it’s Christmas, let The Vamps sing for you, otherwise you can switch to their debut album that follows the Christmas carols.

The rest of the 16 tracks are where you ‘Meet The Vamps’ and come to know their original material. With three catchy singles already under their belt, they manage to bring an album that comprises of mushy ballads, pop songs and pop rock melodies.

Wild Heart their first single has a more Maroon 5 chord, guitar-based and is super catchy. The chorus should stay in your mind for some time. It’s a great album opener to a debut album. Had a party last night and can’t remember what happened. Featuring lyrics such as: “My head don’t feel so bright, what the hell happened last night,” are ones that many can probably relate to after a night out, and come in the song Last Night. Basically a song about partying and then having a hangover. This time too we have an infectious chorus that teens would love to join in singing.

Somebody to You featuring Demi Lovato is lovable and it’s about the Vamps in particular who are looking out for young girls to love them. Well surely they will find many. There’s no need to write a song to do that. The ‘Yeah You’ part that runs throughout is fun and almost like a chant which is sure to be lapped up by every teen lass. The resounding of Can We Dance is pop at its best with its up-tempo pitch.

The Latin styled groove of Girls on TV talks about pop divas like Beyoncé and Rihanna, the video is a must watch to know what we are talking about. Moving one place ahead the boys do a Paul (of Simon Garfunkel) Simon fame penned cover of Cecilia packaged with some with reggae-tinged beats, which is a good try.
Another World is a neat mushy piece that could be the best ballad on the album and a great listen. The track is of a slow tempo, compared to the fast – mid tempo tracks the Vamps are known to give us. In the same vein we have the acoustic based Shout about it followed by High Hopes that speaks about having high hopes in all spheres of life. If you are feeling down, this song should put you in a better mood.

Other tracks towards the end of the album, is the slow pitched She was the One, Lovestruck and a reworking of Somebody to you (without Demi Lovato this time) among others are the final cuts on the album.

Having 16 tracks on the album makes it really long to get to the best, but we have shortlisted the ones that are worth tuning to. Nevertheless you can take your pick once you tune up to The Vamps who all play a part in the songwriting, singing and in the music.

They may have a lot of competition around them, but this album should stand in good stead for sometime at least showcasing each of them growing up in the album, with each song different from the other, lyrically and musically.

Though no lyrics come with the album inlay, feast on a few pictures of the band members in the inlay card.

Rating: ****

Reviewed By Verus Ferreira