Designed more as a special double helping for fans rather than an actual new album proper, "Finelines: Between The Lines" is actually an impressive package for anyone not previously au fait with this impassioned UK quartet's output as it features both a re-mixed version of their 2001 debut LP,"Finelines" and a second disc of rarities, cover versions and live/session tracks.
"Finelines" now comes remixed by Steve Thompson (of HENRY ROLLINS and, ...erk, GUNS'N'ROSES and KORN fame), but he's sensibly done little to screw with MV's chemistry and "Finelines" still comes across as an expansive, beefy (if a little overlong) record, with the band's reliance on myriad FX pedals and a curious propensity for early 90s trainer staring sounds melded to Som Wijay-Wardener's knack for nagging, angsty melodies.
Most of "Finelines" best moments come in a thunderous flurry from the outset. Introduced by the reflective instrumental "Alpha Waves", the memorable single, "Always Your Way" is followed up by the new double A side track, "Gentle Art Of Choking", "Cemented Shoes" and - probably this writer's fave MV track thus far, "Grounded." A little slower and more languid than usual, it finds snaky guitars slinking around Ravi and Carolyn's supple rhythmic backdrop and boasts a chorus that soars like HUSKER DU at their most plaintive.
To be fair, the heat doesn't entirely let up as the album moves along. MY VITRIOL are blessed with a fine, subterranean engine room in Carolyn and Ravi, and tracks like "Ode To The Red Queen" let out the sonic throttle just at the right time. My main criticism of "Finelines" is that Som and Seth's incessant FX-d guitar overload really is too early 90s for comfort in places, with tunes like "Infantile" ending up nagging like a one-trick pony that should be put out to grass pronto. There again, "Windows And Walls" showcases a group with a superb grasp of dynamics, so hopefully class will eventually tell here.
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Confirmed fans, though, will happily revisit this package for Disc 2, "Between The Lines". With a generous 16 tracks, it's perhaps understandably more of a varied grab bag, with tracks corraled from various sources.
This writer's rather less inclined to sing the praises of the acoustic versions of singles, "Losing Touch," (here coupled with "Taprobane") and "Always: Your Way" - they need the jolt of electricity, frankly - but both the Madonna cover "Oh Father" and the slightly more likely "Game Of Pricks" (originally by Guided By Voices), suggest that MY VITRIOL are considerably more open-minded than people may give them credit for.
There ae other worthy surprises in store, too. "Between The Lines" also proudly presents a loud, joyful rush through the obscure JAWBOX cover "Static" and a cool live version of KURT COBAIN favourite EUGENE KELLY'S "Breakfast" cement the band's capabilities and - coupled with the new single "Moodswings" (included here) make a convincing case for a band concerned with moving forwards.
Overall, "Finelines: Between The Lines" is too flawed, samey and long to cast MY VITRIOL as saviours. Yet. However, the vital signs are in place, along with an undeniable presence and an emerging tendency to release cracking singles.
As both an introduction and an essential compendium for confirmed fans, you could do far worse than investigate.
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