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Tom Vek We Have Sound

Tom Vek: We Have Sound

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by Mike Diver
  • Type: Album
  • Release date: 04/04/2005
  • Label: Tummy Touch
Being a jack of all trades but a master of none isn’t entirely to be frowned upon. Beck, for one, has based an entire career on odd-jobbing across genres to mixed effect, and We Have Sound is probably the closest Britain has come to emulating the stylistic Technicolor Dreamcoat of Odelay. Tom Vek might not have found his particular niche as yet, but his experimentation is consistently enjoyable.

The singles stand out on the initial listen: ‘If You Want’ seems sluggish when compared to its follow up ‘I Ain’t Saying My Goodbyes’, but its Depeche Mode-style thud-thud beats offer welcome relief from the album’s opening new wave offerings. ‘I C-C (You Set The Fire In Me)’ is a solid and effortlessly radio-friendly opener, but its stylistic similarity to 90 per cent of what’s so hot right now smacks of a maker schooled in the recent ways of weekly rag darlings rather than one ploughing any paths anew.

‘If I Had Changed My Mind’ is better, played on instruments so battered that they must surely be third or fourth hand, at least. If not, some studio whiz has successfully aged the song into something that both echoes the ramshackle and rollicking nature of 1940s Southern State blues and sounds as fresh as this morning’s dew.

After a second and third listen, the aforementioned ragtag effort stands out as a significant anomaly on an album of highly stylised pop gems. Each and every one of these ten tracks could easily reach the upper echelons of the contemporary charts with minimal fuss. How? Familiarity, mostly, which is in turn We Have Sound’s chief failing. When Vek masters his true musical love then we’ll be looking at a real talent. This debut however offers only glimpses of potential rather than bona fide finished articles.

  • Tom Vek 6 / 10

Tom Vek - We Have Sound

Really looking forward to hearing this. 'I Ain’t Saying My Goodbyes’ is brilliant.

Re: Tom Vek - We Have Sound

I've had it a couple of weeks on Promo. Its a bloody good enjoyable listen. I would have given it 4 stars, but hey, thats my opinion!

Seeing him live this month too!

Re: Tom Vek - We Have Sound

i agree with that, definitely 4 stars

Tom Vek - We Have Sound

Yes 4 stars....seeing them tonight, should be fun

Tom Vek - We Have Sound

I'd have proably rated it a bit higher, but I think you're right about him having the potential to do better.

It's not as good as it could have been, but still very good, I reckon.

Tom Vek - We Have Sound

its very good! i agree with the people above.. 4 stars it is. at least he's got plenty of room to even out any creases in his music.. fantastic stuff!

Tom Vek - We Have Sound

4 from me too.

played very loud whilst drunk, it's a 4.5.

although Lower The Sun is so much better live it takes the piss.

Tom Vek - We Have Sound

Still not convinced about this guy to be honest.
Seen him live - very drab indeed.
Heard the singles - nothing special.There needs to be a massive improvement to justify the large record company investment here.
(Oops! starting to sound like Alan Hansen or someone on Match Of The Day!).

Re: Tom Vek - We Have Sound

i'm seen him live a few times and it's been great and always improving...

i guess if it's not what you'd usually go for it isn't going to be up to much, but i fucking love it.

Tom Vek - We Have Sound

how shisse does the album cover look? rather poor graduate graphic design from the whole retro typeface school. Tut. no thought what so ever. tut tut.

Tom Vek - We Have Sound

I can't judge him by what he's capable of, just what he's done on this album. So it get's 4 from me.

But remembering that is a debut, hopefully he'll only get better again, which is something to be very happy and optimistic about.


Tom Vek - We Have Sound

His first single didn't really hit me at all. I found it dull, lethargic and apathetic. But Ain't Saying My Goodbyes is great. I don't think he's going to become the new Kaiser Chiefs if that's what you're saying however. Good luck to the lad though.

Tom Vek - We Have Sound

everytime i see that Tom Vek video (I aint sayin my goodbyes) for about 3 seconds i think its a Spacemen3 video, so its a constant disappointment.
i did enjoy him supportin Bloc Party tho

Tom Vek - We Have Sound

I'm really going to have to get a job. I got 4 albums on Friday and now I want to get more albums this week. Is there a thing as too much music? Or too much choice in Guildford HMV?

Re: Tom Vek - We Have Sound

You should go to Rock Box in Camberly, mate. Probably my favourite shop in the world ever.

Tom Vek - We Have Sound

saw him playing at Stunners Intl in Jan and really loved it. Ain't Saying My Goodbyes is a killer song.