By: Carlyn Worthy 
Rating: 9/11

Indie rock band Vanguard Villains creatively fuses rock and pop to deliver an impressive, distinguished sound on their latest self-titled album, released July 1, 2010. While the band hails from New York, the lead vocalist harbors a voice reminiscent of a young Davy Jones, allowing them to successfully bridge the gap and unintentionally create a Brit-pop sound, heard especially in the song “Admire.”

Vanguard Villains masters the concept of variety and uses it to their advantage in creating the album’s sound. In “Life Howling,” the guitar is light, allowing the drums and vocals to take center stage; a smooth contrast from “Admire” where the guitar is the dominant sound.

While some tracks include vocals, others such as “Unexecuted” are completely instrumental, showcasing the band’s musical finesse and dexterity as they dare to experiment with numerous instruments. Every track has a different mood, whether laid back, energized, melancholy or intense, allowing any sort of listener to enjoy. The Villains also included treats for their fans with acoustic versions of “Admire,” “I Could Save The Day,” and “Give It Up.”  

Vanguard Villains is an excellent album, showcasing the band’s talent and unparalleled potential. Most importantly, they have proven they can deliver to any audience while containing their own sound.