The Young Knives - Superabundance

Band: The Young Knives
Album: Superabundance
Genre: English/Brit Rock
Label: Transgressive

Tracks:
1. Fit 4 U
2. Terra Firma
3. Up All Night
4. Counters
5. Light Switch
6. Turn Tail
7. I Can Hardly See Them
8. Dyed In The Wool
9. Rue The Days
10. Flies
11. Mummy Light The Fire
12. Current On The River

Oh, the world of import rock bands. Since The Beatles, rock and roll has been crossing the Atlantic in hopes of fame in the United States. Recently, the big break through import was The Arctic Monkeys. Their loose production, mixed with catchy hooks and riffs brought them success, but it looks like they have some fresh competition in the market. Enter, The Young Knives, a hip geek rock band with a infatuation for tweed. They've just released, "Superabundance," via Transgressive Records with hopes of climbing charts on either side of the sea and I think they may just be onto something huge.

The first thought I had while listening to, "Superabundance," was that it sounded like a more well produced version of The Arctic Monkeys. The songs have a relaxed rock feel complete with hand claps and simple lyrics, but it's infectious with a great sound to match. Not just instrumentally either, vocalist Henry Dartnell has a voice that seeps into your mind and puts you into a trance. The album begins with, "Fit 4 U," which captures the band at their best through a bass line that makes you want to move and lyrics you can begin to sing along with after one listen. This doesn't mean the album gets stale after a listen lyrically, but rather insists it only gets better because you instantly connect and start to think about what you're desiring to singer so much. The following tracks, both singles, "Terra Firma," and, "Up All Night," are just great pop rock tracks. On Night, the line, "Everybody Looks Famous," almost captures the mental image the band's sound hints at. A room where everyone is 20-something wearing trendy designer duds and dancing under various colored lights while stealing glances at the other beautiful people, not looks of envy, but rather looks of acceptance. It's this mood that keeps, "Superabundance," going strong through the next few tracks. On, "Rue The Days," the band leads in with a series of, "La's," destined to get a crowd going before entering a very seventies influenced pop rock song complete with light echo and fuzz laced guitar lines. "Current of The River," closes the album with a simple beat and a call to, "ring the warning bell," but in The Young Knives case, it should be a bell of accomplishment as the track builds and builds into a perfect climax before dying into silence. Just in time for the listener to hit, "repeat."

I've always been cautious of new, "hip," rock bands as I've never thought many to be that amazing, let alone, "hip." However, the Young Knives have changed my thoughts all together. "Superabundance," is an album definitely worth picking up and will surely be used somehow next time you need a, "hip," mix for your social gathering.

GRADE: 8/10