October 12th, 2010 
James Shotwell 
Artist: Vanna
Album: The Honest Hearts EP
Genre: hardcore
Label: Artery Recordings
There are few album this (or any) year that pack the emotional intensity of The Honest Hearts EP.I know, I know, that’s a very blunt way to start a review, but the latest release from Boston’s Vanna deserves nothing less. Blending their signature hardcore sound with equally powerful lyrics, this is one release not for the faint of heart.
Like a shotgun blast to the chest at point blank range, “Lost And Bound” kicks things off with a bang you won’t soon forget. In classic Vanna form, “Lost And Bound” sets the tone for the rest of this release with chugging guitars, relentless force, and the undeniable vocal abilities of Evan Pharmakis and the newcomer Davey Muise. The energy then continues onto what may be Vanna’s two best songs to date. “Sending Vessels” and the album’s single, “Passerby,” flow seamlessly from one to the other with more conviction and hope than the entire discography of 90% of today’s touring bands. From lines about growing older to holding yourself up when everything falls apart, these are the songs Vanna fans have been waiting to hear. They not only showcase the best of the group’s abilities, but break new ground in terms of lyrical depth mark and mark the beginning of a new era for this Boston five piece.
Unfortunately, this great pace is one the rest of the release can’t keep up with as the albums two re-recordings simply fall flat. That’s not saying it’s a bad song by any means, but it is literally nothing we haven’t heard from Vanna before. Yes, they are solid songs and yes, they’re heavier than ever, but simply adding a vocalist and some light restructuring doesn’t exactly justify charging people for something they’ve heard before in my mind, but Maybe that’s just me.
While it may not be flawless, The Honest Hearts EP features some of Vanna’s best material to day. Somehow, even at times like this when the scene feels more flooded than ever before with ripoffs and gimmicks, Vanna find a way to not only be unique, but step up the game overall. Even if you don’t enjoy hardcore, this is one release you simply need to experience, especially “Sending Vessels.” Vanna have an uncanny ability to write music nearly everyone can relate to and this if they continue on the course set with this release, I’m sure the future will be brighter than ever.
Score: 8/10
Review written by: James Shotwell
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Just want to say, because it seems like you don’t know, but “Dead Language” is a re-recording. It comes from The Search Party Never Came and is called “A Dead Language for a Dying Lady”. So yes, we have heard it before, much like “Trashmouth”.
Just want to say, because it seems like you don’t know, but “Dead Language” is a re-recording. It comes from The Search Party Never Came and is called “A Dead Language for a Dying Lady”. So yes, we have heard it before, much like “Trashmouth”.
Thank you for the heads up. While I am quite the Vanna fan, I can admit to never hearing the Search Party EP before and thus, didn’t make the connection. Score still stands and the release is still just as solid, but I did correct for my errors.
I’m actually the same way. I got into them towards the end of Search Party about when they started writing A New Hope. The only song I listen to consistently off Search Party is “We Ate the Horse you Rode in on”. But it was really A New Hope that rocketed these guys to the top of my favorite bands list.
And that’s actually my fault, again. “We Ate the Horse you Rode in on” came from Curses. Which I also didn’t listen to too often. Haha, my fault there.