Punknews.orgPunknews.org Logo
Review Navigator

BackForward

Features

 

Contests

 


Reviews



If I had to describe Young Hearts’ EP Nowhere Kids in the least words possible I’d probably just say “New Jersey and Long Island,” even if the band is from Brooklyn. There is no mistaking that this is a pop-punk record but it would be foolish to ignore the band’s debt to hardcore punk as well. However, to assume Young Hearts can be grouped in with the swell of bands that have followed in Set Your Goals footsteps would be kind of off the mark as they borrow from an older vintage of acts like Bouncing Souls, Lifetime and the Movielife. Rather than Blink-182 style pop brushing up against gang vocals and breakdowns, there is a confident restraint shown in the way melody and aggression work together for the band. The question is whether or not that restraint creates something that does more than just break from current trends.

The bass intro and guitar jabs that open “Quiet Living” can be a little misleading as the song gives way to bright guitar leads and a bouncy rhythm that lends itself to dancing a little better than fist pumps and stage dives. The key comes in the breakdown about three quarters through the song that reintroduces some of the grit hinted at in the intro, but doesn't sacrifice the poppiness of the rest of the song for a growl. "Distraction” teases us in similar ways with a drum intro that would suggest something considerably more heavy than it ends up being; in fact, it probably has the most thoroughly poppy vocal performance of the entire EP. The vocals are one of the highlights of the album as they switch between clean singing to a more straightforward scratchy hardcore yell that combine melodies and harmonies that are surprisingly sophisticated.

I've given a bit of attention to how well the band can fluidly combine different elements in a single song to great success; some of the best moments here occur when they are at their most contrasting and their most uncomplicated. Take for instance “Down and Out,” where the main guitar riff employs a delay effect and progression that is unabashedly power-pop and meets it with vocals are somewhere out of Latterman’s strained yelp playbook.

While Nowhere Kids is far more dynamic than a lot of pop-punk records out there today and there is some really enjoyable tunes in this seven-song EP, there is still something missing. It holds my attention the entire time I’m listening to it but once I no longer am I don’t seem to remember much. I still recommend it if you want to listen to some hardcore-influenced pop-punk that doesn’t delve into laughable stereotypes. Good but not great.






Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

    Posted by SloaneDaley on 2009-08-07 09:34:55

    yeah these guys are hardcore influenced in the same way Fairweather or Movielife was. It doesn't kick you in the teeth but it is for sure there.

    Posted by friokir on 2009-08-07 05:09:26

    well, i'd say they both are pretty hardcore influenced, but maybe your thinking of that tough-guy metallic hardcore with chugga-chugga breakdowns. but who cares anyway. it's cool that you get along with good bands.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-08-06 13:13:08

    Poster below me:

    Young Hearts don't have any hardcore in their music at all. Say what you will about Caleb Lionheart too, but they don't have any either minus some gang vocals, which aren't exclusive to hardcore.

    Also, YH are a local band for me, and Caleb I did some PR stuff for, so yeah... both are friends in this instance, though nothing to do with legitimately enjoying both bands. Namedrop perhaps, no care, its truth.

    Posted by friokir on 2009-08-06 02:43:05

    onegirlarmy, you seem to be quite familiar with young eastcoast boys playing poppunk mixed with hardcore ;). first caleb lionheart and now this. but it's not a bad thing as they're good bands.

    Posted by miniblindbandit on 2009-08-05 22:28:39

    i like chip's voice better on these eps than i did when he was with the 'cade. good stuff.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-08-05 17:40:13


    "Shame they're breaking up."

    ...probably because the lead singer doesn't have a life out of med school!

    It's actually not just him being in med school. Their drummer's moving to the UK to go to school and one of the guitarists wants to play different types/styles of music right now. Life happens, just a bummer.

    Posted by icapped2pac on 2009-08-05 15:33:46
    My Score:

    Sadly, as much as I wanted to enjoy this (and as much as bands hate having their releases compared), it just didn't endear itself to my ears anywhere near how the demo and Fight EP did.

    Such a shame they're breaking up. One more loved band I'll never get to see live. At least I got to finally see Racing Exit 13 (speaking of NYC bands) last night, even if I was the one and only paying fan in attendance. The band touring with them (http://www.myspace.com/wristrocket) from Norway stole the show though. Fucking awesome, with a rousing rendition of "Josie" to close the set. Awesome night.

    Posted by xshoutoutx on 2009-08-05 13:34:28

    "Shame they're breaking up."

    ...probably because the lead singer doesn't have a life out of med school!

    Posted by xshoutoutx on 2009-08-05 13:31:58
    My Score:

    I only have their prior demos, I haven't gotten this one yet, but this band rules live, and they are really rad dudes! Score is for the live show. I am sure this is a solid release.

    Posted by SloaneDaley on 2009-08-05 08:29:52

    Mind you, the Movielife isn't terribly far from SYG...

    yeah for sure, it is kind of like a fork in the road.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-08-05 01:55:26
    My Score:

    Huge step up from their last EP, which was phenomenal. Shame they're breaking up.

    Posted by muktar on 2009-08-05 00:00:01
    My Score:

    and this time the score is for the fact that they release ervythang fo frizzle :)

    Posted by muktar on 2009-08-04 23:58:52
    My Score:

    Spot on review, except id give it a 7, music is a little better than 6. Felt like it was a minor step back from the fight ep, which was aggressive pop-punk brilliance.

    Posted by llmp on 2009-08-04 22:24:23

    I really enjoyed this on first listen. Good review.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2009-08-04 18:20:27

    Mind you, the Movielife isn't terribly far from SYG...

    © 1999-2009 Punknews.org • Terms of Use • Privacy • About • ISSN 1710-5366 • RSS RSS Icon