ALBUM REVIEW: Monuments – The Vintage Caravan

Within recent years, there has been little shortage in rock bands being heavily influenced by the sounds of the ’70s psychedelic rock scene. Icelandic band THE VINTAGE CARAVAN are no exception, but somehow they seem to be one step ahead from the rest. 2018’s Gateways showed an impressive example of how they compose as a band who are heavily influenced by the likes of CREAM, LED ZEPPELIN, BUDGIE, YES etc. yet still maintaining that fresh unique approach. Their latest studio album, Monuments is set to see the band at the top of their game.

That progression forward in their maturity is evident to hear from the off with opening track, Whispers. It holds rough and rugged riffs that fit the style of music, but it is the most polished the band have sounded in their career. This bolder edge that the band have developed seems to follow suit throughout the album within other tracks such as Crystallized, Said & Done and Forgotten.

If there’s one thing that’s most noticeable on Monuments, it’s the lyrical content. Whilst previous THE VINTAGE CARAVAN releases boasted catchy chorus’ alongside heavy groove-filled riffs, this album seems to compliment the unique vocal qualities of Óskar Logi Ágústsson at their finest. In some places, his vocals seem tinged with a little more softness than what we’ve been used to hearing before, but it isn’t in any form a bad thing. The velvet-like vocals add to the psychedelic vibe that has surrounded the band in a way that creates reminiscence of what we heard from bands such as BLUE ÖYSTER CULT.

If there’s one thing this Icelandic outfit are exceptional at, it’s producing straight up rock and roll, but this album shows a completely different and elegant side to them. Without losing their edge, they are able to captivate by exposing their vulnerabilities in tracks such as This One’s For You and Hell. Both pose as showing the romantic qualities they have, but done in contrasting ways that keep it intriguing. Hell keeps that fiery line, with a stunning guitar solo that is reminiscent of some of the greats heard throughout the years. This One’s For You is far more stripped back and emotive, Ágústsson‘s vocals are still as divine as they are throughout the rest of Monuments, but here they’ve almost got an assertive-ness that shows the certainty of the emotion portrayed throughout each lyric. It’s a song that possibly shows off just how much THE VINTAGE CARAVAN have matured since their previous releases. They’re no stranger to creating something elegant, but this doesn’t have to be masked by the need to be delivered with anything fancy, even with the simplicity of the guitar solo, it feels like the perfect daydream.

As Clarity closes the album with the warm tinges of EAGLES-esque vibes, there’s the realisation at just how much this band have stepped into themselves. The track itself provides a sense of comfort, but also a weighted feeling joins alongside it, the two working in perfect balanced harmony. THE VINTAGE CARAVAN could have still delivered an exceptional album without the softer elements placed within the ranks, but the addition is certainly something that adds something truly special. At just over 8-minutes, Clarity is fuelled by a dynamic that can only be achieved by constantly and consistently striving for gold.

Monuments without a doubt showcases THE VINTAGE CARAVAN‘s journey in their career like no other. What they have achieved prior to this release is outstanding, but this sees the band head straight past the goal and into another world. They have hit a maturity that expresses just the levels they can and will hopefully, deservedly achieve. The trio have always been at the top with their modern approach to classic sounds, but this is where you get transported back in time and fits snugly into its surroundings. Monuments, as new as it is, sounds and feels as though it was truly born in the 1970s and has become a treasure that creates nothing but sweet, comforting memories.

Rating: 9/10 

Monuments is set for release April 16th via Napalm Records.

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