http://www.westword.com/bestof/2009/award/best-new-band-1053549/
you may disagree, but it's already in print.
so, there.
3/18/09
basement EP review!
basement EP review!
Young Coyotes’ March 2009 EP, Basement, was so named because it was recorded in the band’s basement. Pesonally having been born less than five miles from emo-superstar Conor Oberst’s childhood home and never before having heard Young Coyotes’ music, I was worried Basement was going to be a lo-fi, whiney, sadness-release. It’s hard for me to imagine being more wrong.
The EP focuses on rhythm and vocals – think the dynamic and rhythmic qualities of Animal Collective with some Shins-style vocals thrown in for good measure. The first two tracks on the album – “Momentary Drowning” and “When I was in the Fire” – make the best use of these focuses. Both songs are centered around warm, melodic chants. The chants provide more than just background noise and structure for the tracks. They cleverly play off of lead singer Zach Tipton’s vocals in a way which enhances both. Further, the chants fade in and out to highlight the rise and fall of each song.
Besides the rhythms created by the chants is rhythm generated by the heavy percussion component. The drums – which fade in and out to great effect, much like the background chants – are as important to each song as the vocals. With guitar being the only other instrument regularly appearing on the EP (bells make an occasional appearance), the drums provide necessary support to the vocals. Much like in a classical string quartet, where each aspect of the small ensemble is vital to success, the percussion provides a driving force which would be otherwise lacking.
Structurally, Basement is fairly standard pop. However, the focus on heavy drum beats and clever hooks put it on a different level. Only 17 minutes in length, Basement is a solid, interesting, and fun EP – particularly for Young Coyotes’ first release. The EP makes me excited to hear more Young Coyotes’ material and look forward to a time when this young band breaks out of the Denver music scene, onto the national stage.
http://minesblog.com/music/2009/03/18/young-coyotes-week-basement-review/
Young Coyotes’ March 2009 EP, Basement, was so named because it was recorded in the band’s basement. Pesonally having been born less than five miles from emo-superstar Conor Oberst’s childhood home and never before having heard Young Coyotes’ music, I was worried Basement was going to be a lo-fi, whiney, sadness-release. It’s hard for me to imagine being more wrong.
The EP focuses on rhythm and vocals – think the dynamic and rhythmic qualities of Animal Collective with some Shins-style vocals thrown in for good measure. The first two tracks on the album – “Momentary Drowning” and “When I was in the Fire” – make the best use of these focuses. Both songs are centered around warm, melodic chants. The chants provide more than just background noise and structure for the tracks. They cleverly play off of lead singer Zach Tipton’s vocals in a way which enhances both. Further, the chants fade in and out to highlight the rise and fall of each song.
Besides the rhythms created by the chants is rhythm generated by the heavy percussion component. The drums – which fade in and out to great effect, much like the background chants – are as important to each song as the vocals. With guitar being the only other instrument regularly appearing on the EP (bells make an occasional appearance), the drums provide necessary support to the vocals. Much like in a classical string quartet, where each aspect of the small ensemble is vital to success, the percussion provides a driving force which would be otherwise lacking.
Structurally, Basement is fairly standard pop. However, the focus on heavy drum beats and clever hooks put it on a different level. Only 17 minutes in length, Basement is a solid, interesting, and fun EP – particularly for Young Coyotes’ first release. The EP makes me excited to hear more Young Coyotes’ material and look forward to a time when this young band breaks out of the Denver music scene, onto the national stage.
http://minesblog.com/music/2009/03/18/young-coyotes-week-basement-review/
3/17/09
first exhale EP review!
Young Coyotes decided to start off their career of recorded music with two EP’s, Exhale and Basement, released on March 10, 2009. Exhale consists of 5 freshly recorded tracks, while Basement (which will be reviewed on this blog tomorrow) is a compilation of the group’s previously released songs.
Exhale starts off with a strange guitar chord and an unusual drum beat. The distant vocals come in slowly. Listening to it seems to be nothing special. What could possibly come out of such a beat down beginning? Unknown to the listener though is that the song’s winding melody floats over the repetitious chord and simple drum beat, building, gaining strength, building tension until the vocals are calling out “What is this love in my house/It surely can’t be real.” At this point, the listener suddenly becomes aware that every bit of the song is still in his head. The airy “ooh”s become intimately familiar. The oscillating structure carries out the song in perfect fashion to the finish. And that’s just the first track.
The fast-paced songs continue through the rest of Exhale. The music remains subtle with repetitious chords and rare guitar riffs. Since the band only has a drum set and one guitar, the simple music technique lends itself to a vocal driven sound. The vocals themselves aren’t the smoothest around, but they certainly are catchy. Living up to their name, howls are found in every corner of the 20-minute EP, winding through the falsetto range. The melodies led through the vocals twist in ways unforgettable. Every song has the potential to be stuck in your head for weeks.
The skill this Denver duo brings to the recording studio on their first effort is unparalleled in structure, vocals, and lyrics by many of the more established bands of the same indie genre. This EP, Exhale, and its twin, Basement, are both available for purchase online via iTunes and AmazonMP3.
http://minesblog.com/music/2009/03/17/yc-week-exhale-review/
Exhale starts off with a strange guitar chord and an unusual drum beat. The distant vocals come in slowly. Listening to it seems to be nothing special. What could possibly come out of such a beat down beginning? Unknown to the listener though is that the song’s winding melody floats over the repetitious chord and simple drum beat, building, gaining strength, building tension until the vocals are calling out “What is this love in my house/It surely can’t be real.” At this point, the listener suddenly becomes aware that every bit of the song is still in his head. The airy “ooh”s become intimately familiar. The oscillating structure carries out the song in perfect fashion to the finish. And that’s just the first track.
The fast-paced songs continue through the rest of Exhale. The music remains subtle with repetitious chords and rare guitar riffs. Since the band only has a drum set and one guitar, the simple music technique lends itself to a vocal driven sound. The vocals themselves aren’t the smoothest around, but they certainly are catchy. Living up to their name, howls are found in every corner of the 20-minute EP, winding through the falsetto range. The melodies led through the vocals twist in ways unforgettable. Every song has the potential to be stuck in your head for weeks.
The skill this Denver duo brings to the recording studio on their first effort is unparalleled in structure, vocals, and lyrics by many of the more established bands of the same indie genre. This EP, Exhale, and its twin, Basement, are both available for purchase online via iTunes and AmazonMP3.
http://minesblog.com/music/2009/03/17/yc-week-exhale-review/
3/2/09
TOMORROW...GET OUR NEW RELEASE FROM ITUNES.
i hate capitalizing...but i had to get your attention somehow.
tomorrow...i'm not sure what time or how responsible apple is, but our latest release, EXHALE EP, will be available for download.
if you'd like to hear short clips of the songs being released everywhere else on MARCH 10TH, including the BASEMENT EP, then click these links:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U0JKBO/ref=dm_sp_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1236039604&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U0WN18/ref=sr_f2_album_4?ie=UTF8&child=B001U0T0D2&qid=1236039790&sr=102-4
our website, www.weareyoungcoyotes.com will also be up and running tomorrow as well.
thank you to everyone who made this past year really fun and interesting for a couple of lame dudes who sing about dying.
tomorrow...i'm not sure what time or how responsible apple is, but our latest release, EXHALE EP, will be available for download.
if you'd like to hear short clips of the songs being released everywhere else on MARCH 10TH, including the BASEMENT EP, then click these links:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U0JKBO/ref=dm_sp_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1236039604&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U0WN18/ref=sr_f2_album_4?ie=UTF8&child=B001U0T0D2&qid=1236039790&sr=102-4
our website, www.weareyoungcoyotes.com will also be up and running tomorrow as well.
thank you to everyone who made this past year really fun and interesting for a couple of lame dudes who sing about dying.
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