Bring Back the Vibe (The Pinholes) | 4/5

SINGAPORE - Singapore rockers The Pinholes have been working the local music scene for over a decade now, so it’s rather surprising that it has taken this long for the band to release its debut album. There’s little doubt that Bring Back The Vibe is worth the wait. In many ways, the songs on the album is reminiscent of the hurly-burly, “anything goes” approach of the ’90s local indie bands, mixed in with the sonic sensibilities of classic ’60s Singapore rock ‘n’ roll. This very interesting hybrid informs energetic songs like Money, Shake N Bake and You’ll Never Gonna Take My Life. Singer-guitarist Famie Suliman has been the mainstay throughout the various incarnations of The Pinholes and his infectious personality fills up every space of this idyllic album, which harkens back to a kinder and gentler epoch in Singaporean history. The production values are a little rough, but that only adds to the overall authentic ambience. It’s clear that The Pinholes have succeeded in bringing back the vibe.