Labels: Drunken Sailor
Review by: MH
This is the second album from Massachusetts trio, The Young Leaves. The label has been kind enough to send us a copy of the album on vinyl – always nice to receive. I haven’t heard the first album or indeed anything else by them previously so this band is new to me. There are 3 individual pictures of the band members gurning on the slip that comes with the record. I think one of them might be smiling though. From the opener “Scumbag” through to last song “Life Underneath” their influences are pretty clear. The main ones that stand out in the sound are Dinosaur Jr. and fellow Bay Staters Moving Targets. The Young Leaves play 90s-influenced indie rock with a bit of grunge and a hint of pop punk thrown in on a couple of tracks. If you can imagine a more straightforward and angry Dinosaur Jr. with a cleaner sound and less distorted guitars then you’re on the right track. The guitar solos which appear towards the end of most of the songs have a sound that really recall that band. The main difference being that the vocals don’t have that lazy J. Mascis drawl. The Young Leaves vocalist does have quite a distinctive, deep voice though and there’s a healthy amount of energy that comes through on the record. If I’m being harsh I’d have to say that the guitar solos don’t quite stand up to J. Mascis but then again, not many do. It’s pretty good though and tips its hat to some good bands.