Brazilian Ramonescore band The Yodees dropped their debut album earlier this month. Released by OutLoud Records, a label that's fast becoming my go-to place for the best in Ramonescore pop punk, it features eight tracks from the Curitiba based four piece. The band, which consists of Fernando Yudi (vocals and guitar), Neto Hog (vocals and bass), Bruno Bera (lead guitar) and Leandro Seco (drums), are influenced by bands such as Chixdiggit!, The Riverdales, The Huntingtons and, of course, The Ramones. This was one I was guaranteed to love.
The self titled album begin with the song Better Without Love. This song sets out the stall for what to expect from the whole album – mid-tempo melodic pop with plenty of hooks and harmonies. The track is about wanting to get out of a relationship that's run its course and deciding you'd be better off by yourself. Void In My Heart also talks about the topic of break ups. On this occasion, it's from the perspective of the person who wants to stay together. I loved how The Yodees decided to order these tracks one after the other. Letting you feel the emotions from both sides of the situation immediately after each other. Loony sees the band pick the tempo up for this more traditional Ramonescore track – it even begins with a cry of "1, 2, 3, 4!" The band present some snottier pop punk vocals for the first time on the album, giving The Yodees a different sound that will keep it sounding fresh. Loony sticks with the subject of girls, this time warning a friend to stay clear of someone because you know they're trouble. The fourth song is titled The Vitamin Shoppe Girl. The pace comes down and the cleaner and more melodic vocals return. The track starts slowly with Seco's drums opening things up and getting my shoulders shaking. It's a cheerful song about having a crush on the girl who works at the vitamin shop. This is a really sweet and lovely pop song.
Lost My Valentine continues with the slower paced melodic pop punk. There's also a bit of a classic rock 'n' roll feel to the song which offered something a bit different. This was the first time on the album that both of The Yodees vocalists sang a verse. The contrast in their vocals gives the song a new element that's not featured yet on the album. Lost My Valentine is about putting on a brave face after you've been dumped. Up next is Second Chances, a song about getting another opportunity to get a relationship right. It sounds like there is a lot of hope in the song and a willingness to be better. The whole tone of the song is so uplifting, it put a smile on my face. The penultimate song on the album is titled Everybody Is Growing Up (But Me). Stepping away from the many stages of a relationship, The Yodees go back to the fast paced snotty pop punk. It's quite obviously about all your pals growing up, getting married, having kids, buying houses – all that fun stuff – and you still being stuck doing the things you did when you were younger. Here's a very relatable song and perhaps my favourite on the entire album. The placement of the song was fantastic as it gives the album that extra shot of energy before the final song, Ally. The Yodees give us one last 60s rock 'n' roll inspired pop punk sing-along. It's the kind of track where you can imagine a room full of people swaying along with the band as they sing about a prostitute that they've fallen in love with. It's a different kind of topic than I'm used to hearing in songs and the heartbreak that the singer sings with almost got to me. A fun way to finish the album.
It's no surprise, given that this is a pop punk release, that this album focuses a lot on girls and relationships. The Yodees do a great job of exploring different parts of relationships from different sides though, making it more original and thoughtful than most other albums. As a pure pop album goes, this is one I really enjoyed.
Stream and download The Yodees here: https://theyodees.bandcamp.com/
Like The Yodees here: https://www.facebook.com/theYodees/
This review was written by Colin Clark.
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