Artist: Young Guns
Title: All Of Our Kings Are Dead
Genre: Alternative / Rock
Release Date: 20th September 2010
Label: Live Forever / PIAS
Album Review
YOUNG GUNS is an English alternative rock band formed in 2003. In June 2009 the bands self-released debut EP ‘Mirrors’ was released in 500 copies and according to the singer Gustav Woods they hoped would “at least serve as a vehicle to enable us to get onto more shows and play to more people.” To support the release it was followed by a self-booked tour around the UK. As the group gathered positive reviews and media coverage the wheels of success started to spin faster and faster with the band being booked for bigger festivals around the UK. By the end of the year the band had won the Rock Sound and Kerrang magazine end of year reader’s polls for “Best British Newcomer” and “Best New Band”. To date, following its re-release proper in August, the EP has now sold over 7,000 copies and counting. Having maintained total independence with ‘Mirrors’, the band decided to remain unsigned for the release of their debut album, ‘All Of Our Kings Are Dead’ with the help of the well-respected distributor PIAS.
YOUNG GUNS have made an album that in my ears sounds very promising; it is filled with good and different songs where some are kind of softer and some are more brutal sounding. What keep it all together are the strong lyrics that in a very good way tell the stories of the songs and create different atmospheres. My only complaint with this album is that I get the feeling that the band want so much (maybe too much sometimes) and some of the songs suffer because of this. I believe that the end result would have been more even if they kept the sound some cleaner and not gone for stuff that in my ears sound too much and just too complicated. But I sure will keep my ears open for this band in the future.
‘Stitches’ is a song that had me hitting repeat for quite some time, I like the feelings that it brings and when I got hold of the lyrics it kind of explained my little obsession with the song. It’s one thing to listen to a new song and hear what the person are singing and another to listen to it as I read the lyrics - it makes it easier to understand and grasp the meaning of the song. The lyrics of this one are short but clever used in perfect harmony with the music and I really enjoy hearing the way Gustav Wood sings on it. ‘After The War’ begins beautifully with strings and I have a moment to wonder how it will turn out to be. I like how the song opens up and keeps the calm and softer energy of the intro and takes it further as the song carries on with strong lyrics and moving melody.
‘At the Gates’ was an instant favourite; I found it different from the other songs and I really enjoy the way it sound all way through. The strong chorus easily got stuck on my mind and as the song continues it reaches a part where the music kind of pause and I simply adore hearing Gustav’s voice rise in this brilliant and powerful song. ‘Beneath The Waves’ is a faster and rougher song that brings a nice edge. I really enjoy the sound and melodies in this song as well as the cool lyrics. I find it interesting that this song seems to be built by different parts; it’s almost like two songs in one since the second part of the song is instrumental and is speaking without words. The way the song slowly ends and then starts up all again had me mesmerized closing my eyes.
Tracklist
01. Songs Of Apathy
02. Crystal Clear
03. Meter & Verse
04. Weight Of The World
05. D.O.A
06. Stitches
07. Winter Kiss
08. Elements
09. After The War
10. Endless Grey
11. At the Gates
12. Beneath The Waves
Line up
Gustav Wood – Vocals
Fraser Taylor – Guitar
John Taylor – Guitar
Simon Mitchell – Bass
Ben Jolliffe – Drums
Website
http://www.myspace.com/youngguns
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Extras: -
Total: 7 / 10
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