Wednesday, June 9, 2010

The Young Veins :Lushbeat Review

Okay, so here is my review for The Young Veins' debut album, "Take A Vacation!" as seen on Lushbeat.com

Check out the site for more fabulous review from fellow music enthusiasts. They do not disappoint!

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THE YOUNG VEINS: Take A Vacation!


In mid-2009, it was announced that Ryan Ross and Jon Walker of Panic! At The Disco were leaving the band due to creative differences, perhaps moving into a new direction with a new band entirely. Sure enough, Ross and Walker wrote some very un-Panic! tunes, added members Nick Murray, Andy Soukal, and Nick White, and channeled their inner retro rock band of which make up their first album, “Take A Vacation!”. Though The Young Veins is made up of half of Panic!, there is certainly no comparison in their sound. This is where the “creative difference” comes into play. Instead of the garage, pop/punk sound that Ross and Walker became famous for, we are now introduced to a sort of time-paradox: music edition. It is well into 2010, but “Take A Vacation!” is undoubtedly reminiscent of Ed Sullivan re-runs, hula-hoops and oil-free beaches.

Produced by Alex Greenwald (Phantom Planet) and Rob Mathes (Panic! At The Disco), “Take A Vacation!” is a simple, short, and sweet little album, full of 60’s-like pop, beachy harmonies, and lovable lyrics. “Take A Vacation!” is unique to this era, and therefore refreshing in a music generation lacking, well, the oldies. And just like the oldies, most songs on the album cease to reach the 3-minuet mark, making for a very short album. But sometimes simplicity just works, such as is for the first single off the album, “Change”. Reminiscent of The Monkees and perhaps a dash of Jet, “Change” is one of the groovier and lyrically simple tracks of the album. Lyrics like “I swear like a sailor, love is not a flavor/I find it’s just a concept that we live inside” are the template for the rest of the album. “Take A Vacation” and “Young Veins (Die Tonight)”, are sway-worthy tunes, bringing forth 1964 George Harrison guitar riffs while “Capetown” is sure to melt the hearts of girls in pony tails and bobby socks.

The album does take a slight turn towards a more current music style with the last few songs, including “Dangerous Blues”, “Defiance” and “Lie To Tell The Truth”. However, with the albums consistent 60’s croon-sound, it lacks some of the excitement that many debut albums exude. The album is undemanding to the listener, and sure the retro style is unique and new (to this decade), but can The Young Veins hold up against new and popular alternative rock bands of today? We surely cannot help but root for them, but there could be a struggle to keep up with the chart-toppers of the year.

Key tracks: Change/Everyone But You/Defiance


Lushbeat.com

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Hopefully I will have a review for Mt. Desolation's new track, "State Of Affairs" up for the masses tomorrow!