Topping out at just over a-minute-and-a-half, the Vines' Highly Evolved was one of 2002's most infectious singles. A sludgy, sexy mix of grunge's noise and attitude and tightly structured pop, it fit in perfectly with the trendy punk/garage revival helmed by the Strokes, Hives, and White Stripes. While "Highly Evolved" isn't as playful as "Last ...

Topping out at just over a-minute-and-a-half, the Vines' Highly Evolved was one of 2002's most infectious singles. A sludgy, sexy mix of grunge's noise and attitude and tightly structured pop, it fit in perfectly with the trendy punk/garage revival helmed by the Strokes, Hives, and White Stripes. While "Highly Evolved" isn't as playful as "Last Nite," as anthemic as "Hate to Say I Told You So," or as unique as "Fell in Love With a Girl," it does boast a certain tough, swaggering cool that makes it stand out among the work of the group's peers -- and on the radio as well. The B-side, "Sunchild," offers a study in contrasts, presenting the Vines' sensitive, acoustic side, which they developed in greater detail on the full-length Highly Evolved. Considering that this was the group's debut release, Highly Evolved was an impressive, if brief, showcase of the group's strengths and diversity. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi