The Vines

The Vines deliver a ferocious garage-rock assault that outperforms #10 Jet in raw energy, thanks to their 2002 debut Highly Evolved, which sold over 500,000 copies globally in its first year. Blending Britpop melodicism with grunge intensity, the band earned immediate acclaim from NME and Rolling Stone as part of the early-2000s revival. Frontman Craig Nicholls' raw vocal style, which drew comparisons to Kurt Cobain, drives tracks like "Get Free" with a searing delivery that established their signature sound. Despite lineup instability, their debut remains a benchmark, achieving a 4.5-star rating from Rolling Stone and a spot on the ARIA Top 10, proving their lasting influence on Australian rock.