You Me At Six - Take Off Your Colors
Record Label: Slam Dunk/ Epitaph
Release Date:October 6, 2008(UK), July 21, 2009 (US release/deluxe edition), September 14, 2009 (UK re-release/deluxe edition)
Catchy, fun, British, and fresh. Those are just some of the words that come to mind when I listen to You Me At Six. YM@6 are a young, promising pop/rock/punk band from Surrey, UK. Though new to the states, they have become relatively popular in their home land due to many festival performances and tours, such as a recent tour with Paramore. For US fans, 20 tracks for a cd may seem like alot of songs to put out for a debut cd, but this cd is actually a deluxe edition of their UK release.
Take Off Your Colors is an example of good modern pop/rock cd. It's rediculously catchy with memorable melodies, distinctive hooks, and paces that keep you on your toes. Their songs vary in tempo from fast paced rock with "Save It For The Bedroom", a slow ballad, "Always Attract", and mid tempo diddies, such as "Finders Keepers". The things that makes this band different from similar bands in this genre are that this band has surprisingly witty lyrics that aren't cliche-laden like most pop/rock songs, they have a talented singer, Josh Franceschi, who can sing earnestly but also rock out, and they are legitimately talented musicians (they are just as good live as they are on the album).
What they lack in originality (ie. their main sujects are girls, some songs are repetitive) they make up for in pure catchiness. "Finders Keepers" is a stellar track that stands out from the rest of the cd because it's a little more pop than rock. It has surprisingly good lyrics, especially in the chorus: "Finders Keepers will you keep me in mind? I like secrets cause they keep me in line. Old habits die hard, but I'm too young to die..." Another stand out track is "Kiss and Tell", which about a girl that plays with guys' minds. A typical band that sing songs about this subject (ie. The Maine) would would have written unoriginal lyrics, but something about YMA6's lyrics are fresh. With a lyric like "Kiss and tell everybody else. You're at your best when I'm making, making baby steps", it sounds more original than your average kiss off song. They may not be the next Beatles, but they definitely have more lasting power than most of their contemporaries. Josh, along with Dan Flint (drums), Max Heyler (rythm guitar/backing vocals), Chris Miller (lead guitar), and Matt Barnes (bass) make up one of the best new bands to come out of 2009.
If you don't buy the cd, at least check out "Finders Keepers", "Kiss and Tell", "Save It For the Bedroom", Jealous Minds Think Alike", and "If I Were In Your Shoes".
Track Listing:
1.The Truth Is A Terrible Thing
2.Gossip
3.Call That A Comeback
4.Jealous Minds Thinks Alike
5.Save It For The Bedroom
6.Take Off Your Colors
7.You've Made You're Bed (So Sleep In It)
8.If You Run
9.Tigers And Sharks
10.If I Were In Your Shoes
11.Always Attract (featuting Elissa Franceschi)
12.Nasty Habits
13.The Rumor
14.Kiss And Tell
15.Finders Keepers
16.Sweet Feet
17.All Your Fault
18.Blue Eyes Don't Lie
19.Save It For The Bedroom (acoustic)
29.Finders Keepers (acoustic)
myspace.com/youmeatsix
purevolume.com/youmeatsix |
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