Melbourne based band The Fearless Vampire Killers are releasing their debut album Batmania on October 14. After releasing a number of singles and EPs over the years and Batmania demonstrates The Fearless Vampire Killers were well and truly capable of releasing a full length LP. The album is full of electric guitar riffs, complimented by lead singer Sean Ainsworth’s raw voice. It’s the kind of music you would expect in a western film, or being played in a bar in the 1970s.

The album opens with single “Tell Me What You’re Trying To Say”; a track that that sets the tone for the LP perfectly. It’s a fantastic song, full of swampy guitars. The repeated bridge is particularly outstanding due to the tempo change and slightly off beat clapping. Despite the repetitive nature of this track, its short length leaves you wanting more.

“The Sinner” sees a slight change in pace due to the less ‘full sound’. The Fearless Vampire Killers are very talented at creating catchy guitar riffs, and this track particularly showcases this. Following track “Jacky” and “Loaded Gun” are also standouts, for similar reasons. These tracks display a side of The Fearless Vampire Killers that is capable of creating tracks without the overriding influence of electric guitars.

The first single off the album “You and Me” which was released in April is just as impressive when heard against the rest of the album. This track is extraordinary for an album full of remarkable tracks.

“The Monkey Song” is one of my favourite songs from Batmania. It is a short, fast paced track that will get the most rigid people (i.e. me) dancing. The song is very reminiscent of Kings of Leon’s early work, particularly “Spiral Staircase” from Aha Shake Heartbreak.

The only criticism of Batmania is the album closing on six and a half minute instrumental track “All Coked Up (With Nowhere To Go)”, which is anti climatic after such an exciting album. The track sounds very improvised and doesn’t fit on the well otherwise well structured and balanced album.

Batmania is one of the best albums of 2011.

Review score: 9/10