The Subways - Young For Eternity

Genre rock Publisher WEA External Links Official Website WEA

A lightly strummed acoustic guitar line starts out the album Young For Eternity by The Subways, a band coming to the states from Liverpool. "I Want to Hear What You've Got to Say," is the name of the song, and the chorus' vocal hook. After a few bars of the acoustic, our vocalist/guitarist Billy Lunn joins in, singing a song about failed love. Suddenly, the drums start pounding and the song enters a hard groove. The second chorus is sung by the bassist, Charlotte Cooper. As the third chorus draws to an end with both singing, the tone for this album is set. The second song, "Holiday," is more of a straight forward pop-rock track that really shows Lunn's UK accent. "I know that you will be the one...who leads me right into the sun," is the "Holiday's" chorus line, complemented by a distorted guitar, and back-up vocals. "Rock and Roll Queen," shows a little more of a passionate band playing. The screamed lyrics and subtle verses create a dynamics within a song that is pushed to the limit with distortion.

Although the some of the content of the songs is tongue-in-cheek (the album's title track is a thank you to Dracula for "...sucking the shit out of me") and sometimes having almost no meaning whatsoever, the album still maintains a steady pulse and continuity. The drums are very reminiscent of Mario Rubalcaba's work with the Hot Snakes; the guitar has a great distortion and at times a Mudhoney feel, with acoustic work that sounds at times like Elliott Smith. All the bass work is solid and fits in the pocket quite well. The vocals are teetering on the brink of nasally, but are just shy of being annoying. The result is a rock band that actually has skills and persona to pull off being a rock band.

The Subways have been touring heavily since 2004, played a guest appearance on "The OC," and had the pleasure of having John Peel be the first DJ to play their single for "1 AM" (Young for Eternity's last track). Although they are tagged with "UK Buzz Band," a title previously bestowed on acts like Kaiser Chiefs and recently The Rolling Stones, The Subways have thus far shown quality songwriting and showmanship. Hopefully their sophomore album will continue this young but impressive band's musical career.