The Edge’s Top Albums of 2011: #1

The Vaccines — What Did You Expect from The Vaccines?

Released 11th March 2011, Columbia Records

Number 1 on The Edge‘s Top Albums of 2011 list is the debut studio album by English indie rock band The Vaccines, What Did You Expect from The Vaccines? Released in March, the album peaked at number 4 on the UK Albums Chart and spawned one UK top-40 single.

Statistics:

Included in the top-ten lists of 35% of contributors
Of those, 56% ranked the album in their top three
Ranked the album of the year by one contributor

Review by Rob Leane, Head of Relations (ranked the album #1):

Incredibly hyped at the beginning of 2011 and much lauded by the end of it, The Vaccines are a rare example of a guitar band hard-working and original enough to ride the press machine from unknowns to Guildhall-level headliners in the space of twelve months. Their debut album What Did You Expect from the Vaccines? is a collection of game-changing tracks which mingles infectiously catchy pop gems like ‘Norgaard’ with emotional cinematic slow numbers such as ‘All in White’. Full of punchy lyrics and sharp guitar riffs, this is the brave album which kicked the auto-tuned world of chart music in its unsuspecting nuts.

Review by Joe Hawkes, Editor (ranked the album #2):

It is hardly a surprise that What Did You Expect from The Vaccines? is at the top of this list. After being drawn into a whirlwind of hype at the tail end of 2010, the expectations for The Vaccines’ debut album were high, but the four-piece did not disappoint. What Did You Expect from The Vaccines? is full of singalong indie anthems with a punk edge, using as few chords as humanly possible. The Vaccines have created a piece of work that is fresh but familiar at the same time, and will be listened to for many years to come.

Other accolades: