With as much audacity as he has panache, Vanilla Franco released a grand debut album, Traction, at the end of last year. Review.
TRACTION – VANILLA FRANCO
Sharp riffs and a great dose of energy are what Vanilla Franco is injecting in Traction. Joey Quinn’s project gets the soundwaves travelling way further than Suffolk. The level of saturation on each track pays tribute to many legends of rock music whilst craving its own style. The record opening is pretty strong with Building Pressure smashing through in a hurry, Picnic and its garage experiments and those largely more chaotic and hypnotic of Good Time. Compositions are flowing and get some variations in saturations and effects, both on guitars and vocals. It’s pretty efficient, technically rich and echoing with some strong influences.
Invisible Boys is the natural continuation of Good Time and The Arena is switching the tune by adding a large measure of pop to its post-punk. Vanilla Franco also ups the pop-rock sound without getting the saturation down. That’s how we get Monkey on a Mission, where its spicy guitars get on a balanced and surprising choir. I love that mix. The dosage is upped again, adding something psychedelic and vintage for James Bond. Likewise, and more psychedelic yet, the long river of Planes Trains (Capitol Operational) where the artist shows off his mental potential.
Because Vanilla Franco is not just wild riffs and effects, although it’s clearly a large part of Traction. It’s also all about trying new sounds. That previous song is a great example of it… and then Learn Something reveals itself. Also pretty long, it’s the just addition of everything he’s done so far. I’d even say it’s the most complete track and a great hint of what Vanilla Franco is capable of. Between the first and last track, the journey through rock music is seamless, technical and carrying a promise: Traction is only the beginning. What’s next, we should know soon, as a new EP is expected by the end of the month. Wait and see!
