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youngveinsBy: Jo Otero
It was last year that brought the split of Panic! At The Disco. Citing “creative differences” Guitarist/Vocalist Ryan Ross and Bassist Jon Walker decided to part ways with the band. Not too long after, the duo announced plans for a new album under the name, “The Young Veins.” Later joining the two, would be Nick Murray on drums and Andy Soukal on bass (with Walker diverting to lead guitar), and ultimately the inclusion of Nick White, of Bright Eyes fame, on the keyboard.
A year later, The Young Veins have released Take A Vacation!, a 60’s throwback album where inspiration is clearly drawn from the likes of The Beach Boys, The Kinks, and even The Beatles. Trying to be as retro as possible, the songs are relatively short (the longest clocking in at 3:10), straight and to the point, contain simple hooks, and even simpler guitar riffs.
“Change” kicks off the album with a sound that lets you know you are as far as possible from A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out (Panic!’s debut album). This song redundantly reminds the listener that “Some people never change, they just stay the same.” The vocals are clean, the guitar is playful, and the tambourine adds to the 60’s vibe. “Take a Vacation” continues with another short and simple song that should satisfy many of those who feel they’ve been born in the wrong era. It has a catchy hook about the need for a vacation and the desire to have all your friends there with you. Enriched with the backing vocals of Jon Walker, it feels like a reinvented Beach Boys song, which is by no means a bad thing.
“Cape Town,” a story about two lovers that met, loved, and split, continues the summer album in a great manner. The story is presented in four short verses, but with good enough emphasis to paint a mental picture. Once again, the harmony brought by Walker helps to create the retro-feel that is consistent throughout the album.
Jon Walker takes the front seat in “Maybe I Will, Maybe I Won‘t,” the album’s fourth track. This is a quirky song that offers a grim but carefree view on the subject of growing old and alone. “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t,” but for now, let’s enjoy the music, seems to be the message. “Young Veins (Die Tonight)” is a song about having fun, but posing the question of whether it means something more than just fun. It’s the two sides to the song meanings that truly make it an extraordinary album lyrically. “Having the time of their lives like it’s their job,“ well it seems this bit is true.
“Everyone But You,” has Walker taking lead vocals again, leaving the listener feeling as if this record was definitely produced in a different decade. Pouring out his feelings in the recording booth, this is a song that is heartfelt, while being able to stay from the corniness that falls upon so many love songs. “I sleep because I need her” is a brilliant line that is both effortless and emotional.
The seventh track takes the name of “The Other Girl,” a song that as stated in the title, is quite simply about the “other girl.” The structure is much the same as all other songs, with simple riffs, underlying bass, rhythmic drums, and a dash of tambourine. The sometimes redundant choruses are the great backbone of this album, often taking up most of the allotted time but in the best way possible. This case is no different, with Ross singing, “You were right, and I was wrong; Like I always am, and you always are,” for the last minute of the song.
“Love is a beautiful drug,” states “Dangerous Blues,” a track of self realization, that takes inspiration from Rock N’ Roll’s take on Blues in the early 60’s. Not the best sing along track, but nevertheless, another song with excellent lyrics. “Defiance,” “Lie To The Truth,” and “Heart Of Mine” finish off the album in a similar way. While they are not the sunniest or greatest songs to tap your feet to, they are still worth a listen.
Earlier in the album, Ross presents the question: “Is a young a word for dumb?” I can fully tell you that if we use him as the example, then by no means is young synonymous with dumb. Great storytelling, catchy hooks, and a sweet throwback vibe set the stage for a lovely 29 minutes of music. If the Panic! At The Disco fans don’t enjoy this, they should hand over the copy to their parents, who might enjoy a nice time capsule in the form of an album.
Rating: 8/10
Release Date: June 8, 2010
Record Label: One Haven
Recommended Tracks: “Change,” “Cape Town,” “Everyone But You”
For Fans Of: The Beatles, The Kinks, The Beach Boys, Panic! At The Disco
(source)
It was last year that brought the split of Panic! At The Disco. Citing “creative differences” Guitarist/Vocalist Ryan Ross and Bassist Jon Walker decided to part ways with the band. Not too long after, the duo announced plans for a new album under the name, “The Young Veins.” Later joining the two, would be Nick Murray on drums and Andy Soukal on bass (with Walker diverting to lead guitar), and ultimately the inclusion of Nick White, of Bright Eyes fame, on the keyboard.
A year later, The Young Veins have released Take A Vacation!, a 60’s throwback album where inspiration is clearly drawn from the likes of The Beach Boys, The Kinks, and even The Beatles. Trying to be as retro as possible, the songs are relatively short (the longest clocking in at 3:10), straight and to the point, contain simple hooks, and even simpler guitar riffs.
“Change” kicks off the album with a sound that lets you know you are as far as possible from A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out (Panic!’s debut album). This song redundantly reminds the listener that “Some people never change, they just stay the same.” The vocals are clean, the guitar is playful, and the tambourine adds to the 60’s vibe. “Take a Vacation” continues with another short and simple song that should satisfy many of those who feel they’ve been born in the wrong era. It has a catchy hook about the need for a vacation and the desire to have all your friends there with you. Enriched with the backing vocals of Jon Walker, it feels like a reinvented Beach Boys song, which is by no means a bad thing.
“Cape Town,” a story about two lovers that met, loved, and split, continues the summer album in a great manner. The story is presented in four short verses, but with good enough emphasis to paint a mental picture. Once again, the harmony brought by Walker helps to create the retro-feel that is consistent throughout the album.
Jon Walker takes the front seat in “Maybe I Will, Maybe I Won‘t,” the album’s fourth track. This is a quirky song that offers a grim but carefree view on the subject of growing old and alone. “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t,” but for now, let’s enjoy the music, seems to be the message. “Young Veins (Die Tonight)” is a song about having fun, but posing the question of whether it means something more than just fun. It’s the two sides to the song meanings that truly make it an extraordinary album lyrically. “Having the time of their lives like it’s their job,“ well it seems this bit is true.
“Everyone But You,” has Walker taking lead vocals again, leaving the listener feeling as if this record was definitely produced in a different decade. Pouring out his feelings in the recording booth, this is a song that is heartfelt, while being able to stay from the corniness that falls upon so many love songs. “I sleep because I need her” is a brilliant line that is both effortless and emotional.
The seventh track takes the name of “The Other Girl,” a song that as stated in the title, is quite simply about the “other girl.” The structure is much the same as all other songs, with simple riffs, underlying bass, rhythmic drums, and a dash of tambourine. The sometimes redundant choruses are the great backbone of this album, often taking up most of the allotted time but in the best way possible. This case is no different, with Ross singing, “You were right, and I was wrong; Like I always am, and you always are,” for the last minute of the song.
“Love is a beautiful drug,” states “Dangerous Blues,” a track of self realization, that takes inspiration from Rock N’ Roll’s take on Blues in the early 60’s. Not the best sing along track, but nevertheless, another song with excellent lyrics. “Defiance,” “Lie To The Truth,” and “Heart Of Mine” finish off the album in a similar way. While they are not the sunniest or greatest songs to tap your feet to, they are still worth a listen.
Earlier in the album, Ross presents the question: “Is a young a word for dumb?” I can fully tell you that if we use him as the example, then by no means is young synonymous with dumb. Great storytelling, catchy hooks, and a sweet throwback vibe set the stage for a lovely 29 minutes of music. If the Panic! At The Disco fans don’t enjoy this, they should hand over the copy to their parents, who might enjoy a nice time capsule in the form of an album.
Rating: 8/10
Release Date: June 8, 2010
Record Label: One Haven
Recommended Tracks: “Change,” “Cape Town,” “Everyone But You”
For Fans Of: The Beatles, The Kinks, The Beach Boys, Panic! At The Disco
(source)
