We're breaking from the norm today on CPRW. Today I'm reviewing a live album. In the whole four and a bit years history of the blog I've only reviewed two live albums. There's a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, it's extremely rare for us to be asked to review one. Secondly, live albums are basically a best of featuring songs we all know and love already. Then New York pop punks The Young Rochelles asked if we could review their new live album, It's Alive, Too! This intrigued me. I really enjoyed their last full length album, the self titled Young Rochelles, and was very interested to hear those songs live. It was also a chance to hear some tracks that aren't from that album and generally get a feel of what to expect from a Young Rochelles live show.
If you don't know who The Young Rochelles are then they are a three piece Ramones-core pop punk band from New York. In all honesty that's probably all you really need to know about the band's sound. If I say Ramones-core I'd hope you'd instantly think of bands like Screeching Weasel, The Queers, Teenage Bottlerocket and, of course, The Ramones – so you know exactly what they sound like.
In true Ramones-core tradition, It's Alive, Too features sixteen songs played in just twenty-one minutes. Much like their heroes, very little time is wasted on between song banter as the band power relentlessly through song after song. This leaves the listener very little time to catch their breath and runs the risk of the songs just feeling like they all blend into one. Thankfully there is enough variety in the Young Rochelles’ songwriting to prevent this from happening, there is a clear definition between songs so you can tell when one finishes and the next begins despite the band never pausing on the whole album.
For a live album to really work I always think that it needs to capture the spirit of the band’s show. Unfortunately the crowd seems pretty quiet on the recording and at times you could be forgiven for thinking this live recording came from a practice room rather than a proper live show. It would have been nice for the crowd noise to be picked up a bit better, it's there but you have to really listen for it. That said, I really enjoyed the energy in the performance and even though you obviously can't see the band it's very easy to imagine them performing these songs on stage. The harmonies in particular sound great on this live recording and do a really good job of showcasing the band’s ability in the area. The harmonies also help to bring the live element of the album with the forefront. I imagine seeing The Young Rochelles live makes you want to sing along with the band's harmonies and it's the same on this recording – I had a really fun time doing it in my living room.
If you're new to The Young Rochelles then It's Alive, Too! works as a great introduction to the band. It works brilliantly as a best of compilation, along with giving you a sense of what to expect of the band if you ever see them live. If you're a long time fan then this is a fun addition to what's becoming quite an impressive discography.
Stream and download It's Alive, Too! here: https://theyoungrochelles.bandcamp.com/album/its-alive-too
Like The Young Rochelles here: https://www.facebook.com/TheYoungRochelles/
This review was written by Colin Clark.
No comments:
Post a Comment