Young Alive – American Gentlemen
Review by Will Howard
Boston based rockers Young Alive, embody everything their name implies. Just a few years out of college at most, Young Alive has made a firm statement in the Boston music scene. Coming together at the beginning of 2012 the five-piece act made it a point to make the most out of the year.
The band headed out on their first tour accompanied by friends Love Robot and the Drama State. Now a few months later, Young Alive is releasing their brand new EP entitled American Gentlemen. The four track EP contains two brand new tracks including the bands single, “Kingdom Come” as well as new acoustic renditions of “The Weight of a Hummingbird” and “Love Means Letting Go”.
The EP starts off quick and smooth. The sounds of a single cymbal crash coupled with the full and ominous sound of three guitars entice the listener immediately. As the track slides forward and singer Brian Staples is left with only his vocal melody and the enticingly empty bass line of Colin Dinnie underlining a minimalist single guitar melody, the track takes hold.
Picking up pace with the chorus and vocalist Rob Parks begins harmonizing and trading vocal lines with Staples the true beauty and complexity of Young Alive is revealed. Not afraid to let the honest emotions display through the ever changing textures of the track Young Alive grasp at the listeners mind with line after line of “Kingdom Come”.
In the title track, Young Alive brings out the rock. Beginning with a fantastic upbeat guitar line and a drumbeat that you can’t help but tap your foot to, “American Gentlemen” embodies everything Young Alive implies. They aren’t just a band ready to play fast paced simple songs for the sake of it and they prove that with the American Gentlemen Ep.Including the acoustic renditions of “Love Means Letting Go” and “The Weight of a Hummingbird” the band shows the complexity of their music and their passion to create.
Rather than releasing an identical track with acoustic instruments, Young Alive took the opportunity to recreate and reinspire these tracks. Developing new instrumentations and adding the background of rain the tracks tear at heartstrings with each passing word, a true and honest representation of the depth and talent of Young Alive.
Born out of the thriving in unique Boston music scene, Young Alive has created something completely unique and passionate. The American Gentlemen EP is just the next step in their journey, a precursor to a lengthy and inspiring music career. The American Gentlemen EP exemplifies the bands unique and nearly impossible to define sound. A truly beautiful collection of songs, The American Gentlemen EP is worthy of your attention.
Overall Rating: 5/5
Recommended Tracks: “Kingdom Come”
Website // Facebook // Twitter
