by Sarah Samson
Cincinnati, Ohio, grit-pop-based quartet Vacation has mastered its garage rock and pop delivery since forming in 2009. With eight albums under their belt, the group has stayed true to their sound and has only perfected their craft with each new release, as on their ninth album, Rare Earth, released via Feel It Records on May 3rd, produced by the band and Sam Richardson. Rare Earth is a testament to their unswerving sound, and taking some influences from The Bizarros, Screaming Urge, and The Replacements, Rare Earth is described to "exists on account of this fact; lyrically and sonically in meditation of it."
The music video for “Kink,” their third single off Rare Earth, follows a captured man in a latex suit being dragged by the legs around and enduring harmless torture. The song is an explosive and catchy track, a staple for Vacation's expansive discography. The song quickly jumps into full force with an earworm of a riff beginning the song, and the band's tight playing brings the song all together. The self-proclaimed grit pop band showcases its sound which has strong pop melodies with a more energetic and raw approach.
Speaking about the track, John Hoffman said:
“Around the time of making of the ‘Kink’ video, I became fixated on the idea of getting the story of our band’s history out into the world. The group’s been going non-stop for 15 years now, so we’ve got a storied experience even the most household-name bands don’t possess. We’ve lasted almost twice as long as the average marriage does and it’s only been on sheer will.
So, a music video for the song ‘Kink’ seemed like the proper vehicle. It’s a literal song about our band and the messy exit of our lineup’s second drummer after he transgressed me.
The video was artistically inspired by a disturbing fetish video I saw one day called “Roller Girl”. (If you’re horny for lawn care then you might like it). I got covered in cooking oil, flour, food coloring and was dragged from my ankles by a four-wheeler through my parent’s yard while they watched. It was the best day of my life. Preorder the LP so we can get another gimp suit for our band. We’ve ruined two of ‘em through the years.”