Jun. 9th, 2010

corbae: Jon Walker tuning his guitar (Jon Walker)
[personal profile] corbae
Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars

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

(source)
corbae: Ryan Ross singing (Ryan Ross)
[personal profile] corbae
No panic, no disco, just a craving for pop's Camelot.
By Barry Walters 06.08.10 1:13 PM

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Before splitting in two, Panic! at the Disco pulled off one of the most thorough stylistic switcheroos in recent mainstream rock when they swapped the platinum emo-pop of their 2005 debut for the orchestrated Sgt. Pepper-isms of 2008's Pretty. Odd. Here, former guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker further sabotage their teen success by embracing sunny harmonies, twee organs, and chiming Rickenbackers. Their love objects inhabit dreams or dangerous love triangles, and gently pained bittersweetness permeates all. The only thing more extreme than their adherence to '60s sonics is their sincerity.

(source)
corbae: A close-up of raven feathers; blue and grey and purple and black. (TYV group beach)
[personal profile] corbae
By: 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.

continue reading )

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)
corbae: A group picture of The Young Veins in the forest. (TYV group forest)
[personal profile] corbae
Created by The Young Veins on Jun 2, 2010

The best songs you don't know about that we can't wait to see while we're at Bonnaroo this year!

1. Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
2. wide eyes - Local Natives
3. In the Sun - She & Him
4. Substitute - Frank Turner
5. Tunnelvision - Here We Go Magic
6. Awake My Soul - Mumford & Sons
7. Blood - The Middle East
8. Breakneck Speed - Tokyo Police Club
9. Tighten Up - The Black Keys
10. Harold T Wilkins - Fanfarlo
11. The W.A.N.D. (The Will Always Negates Defeat) - The Flaming Lips
12. Hang You From The Heavens - The Dead Weather
13. Long Distance Call - Phoenix
14. Drunk Girls - LCD Soundsystem

(source, where you can stream the songs)

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