Finally, My Vitriol release their domestic full length and it’s about time. They’ve
thrown all their singles together, mashed on another 12 tracks and called their debut album
Finelines. The aforementioned singles, “Always: Your Way”, “Pieces”, “Losing Touch”, and
“Cemented Shoes” are here in their full glory, with half being rerecorded for extra aural
satisfaction. The same reference points are evident, Foo Fighters’ edgy, hook-laden
guitar rock, Nirvana’s quiet/loud dynamics and the white noise shoegazy vibes of
My Bloody Valentine or Cocteau Twins. The album varies from the singles,
however, in that there is a 37-second tongue-in-cheek dig at the music industry and
Korn-athon entitled “C.O.R. (Critic Oriented Rock)” and a winding, meandering
instrumental called “Tongue Tied” reminiscent of Ride’s “Grasshopper.” This album
is brilliant, through and through, and was my personal favorite record of 2001. See
where it ranks for you in 2002.
JEREMY P. GOLDSTEIN

My Vitriol
Epic

1. Finelines
2. Live – My Vitriol Sonically Slays San Francisco
3. Grounded
4. Ride Returns in Boxed Form
5. Hello Today