Red Chuck Records – 28 Feb 2025
80’s Vibes in 2025
The Vapors? Of “Turning Japanese” fame?? Yes, the very same. The band was originally active from 1978-1982. Fast forward to 2016 after a 34-year hiatus when a stage appearance with ¾ of the original lineup including David Fenton, Ed Bazalgette, and Steve Smith played their hit song and left the stage straightaway. This led them to play more dates throughout 2017 and 2018, and then on to record a new album Together in 2020… 39 years after their last release. And here we are in 2025 with a brand-new one Wasp in a Jar.
Flashback to The Vapors earlier sound which was a cross between new wave and punk and fit in perfectly with the days of big hair and blue eyeshadow. At first listen, the new tunes are in the same vein as their previous ones but they have a little more distortion and a bit more punk edge. David Fenton has a more mature quality to his voice and it fits the songs impeccably. The band manages to marry 21st century modernization to the old sound they were known for in their early days.
The first track on Wasp in a Jar is “Hit the Ground Running”. It jumps off with strong guitars and drums and has a simple early punk rock progression, splendid lyrics, catchy chorus, and gives off a cool Buzzcocks vibe. “The Human Race” has a definite 80’s throwback undertone and another reprise that will stick in your head. “Forever and Ever” is without a doubt my favorite track on the album. The sweet lyrics reflect how you feel when your true love tells you they will be yours always. I wish this song was around when I was at the roller rink back in junior high, I would have skated the heck out of it.
“Nonstop Radio” continues with lyrics that seem to be comparing memories of your sweetheart with the way music makes you feel with lyrics like “…laugh, smile, and dance for a while” and “they keep me warm / they keep me sane / they make me stand up and do it again”. This perfectly merges the ideas of love, friendship, music, and art stirring up abundant feelings as well as allowing us to have shared experiences with the tunes we revere. The rest of the record goes on with six more bangers that will not disappoint.
Fans of new wave, power pop, pop punk, and punk will be pleased by this release. Since many of us are only familiar with them as a “one hit wonder” band, after checking out their old and new catalog, you, like me, will have this one in heavy rotation.
The Vapors are currently on tour this spring in the UK and are headed to the states this summer.
Bandcamp (US/Canada – CD, vinyl)
Music Glue (Worldwide – digital DL, all other international – CD, vinyl)
Spotify
