O how the mighty have truly fallen. The once proud poster boys of Rolling Stone's new Rock revolution campaign (which included better peers such as The White Stripes, The Strokes and The Hives) have come under some hard times as of late. Tour cancellations due to mental breakdowns, bassist and co-founder Patrick Matthews leaving the band (to join another band of Aussie's called Youth Group) and lead singer Craig Nicholls being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (a slight form of Autism) all seem to just be the tip of their train wreck style iceberg.

Choosing to soldier on as a three-piece, Nicholls, rhythm guitarist Ryan Griffiths and drummer Hammish Rosser have finally released Vision Valley, their third album and by the sounds of it, maybe their last. Vision Valley barely clocks in at just over a half an hour long, and even then I kept looking at my watch to check out how much time had to pass before I could listen to something else. Nicholls has never been confused for a Poet Laureate, but here he sounds completely uninspired. If it wasn't obvious enough just by looking at song titles such as "Nothin's Comin'" "F*K Yeh" and "Futuretarded," then looking at the lyrics might help. On "F*K Yeh" he spouts "This ain't the real world, it ain't a f—kin' thing. People are full of hurl and so are all their friends."

Ah yes, sheer poetry to the ears. The only moments on Vision Valley where it sounds like Nicholls and company might have put forth any effort whatsoever are on the haunting balladeering of the self-titled track, and their first single, the catchy handclap-heavy "Don't Listen To The Radio." But even on those two tracks, don't expect the meaning of life or anything. Shame really, it doesn't seem all that long ago that The Vines were Highly Evolved and full of promise, but not only does Vision Valley make the Future look awfully retarded, it also makes the present about as tasty as an Assburger, with fries and a Diet Syndrome. Not a Happy Meal.