All The Young - Welcome Home (27/09/2012)
All The Young’s debut album Welcome Home brings an interesting but not entirely unique mix of old-school and English lad-rock. The boys from Stoke-on-Trent bring strong points from their local culture into a mix of rock beats, anthem-worthy guitar tracks and Staffordshire slang. Having built up their name through growing tours both local and international, Welcome Home boasts work from Garth Richardson and Rich Costey that has created a highly polished album. The unfortunate downside of the impressive production is loss of the raw rock edge that the boys are known for.
Today builds into a floor-stomping rock track with a heavy drum track and wailing guitar riffs. The lyrics are full of the bravado lad rock bands are known for, however they are lost under the weight of the guitars. This song would fit perfectly into a live show, with the driving force bringing an audience up on their feet and jumping along, but unfortunately doesn’t work as well in a studio setting.
The First Time highlights how good this band is when they get everything right. Ryan Dooley’s powerful vocals balance out the soaring guitar melodies that are brought together over the strength of the rhythm section of the band. This track shows off the musical talent of the band with their ability to create a perfectly balanced track while still featuring individual members.
New Education, in recognition of the band’s former name, does justice to the band’s own history as well as the live version that is often noted as the highlight of their concerts. With the musical arrangement pulled back into the background of the track, Dooley’s vocals are highlighted and create an intimate atmosphere in the song as well as a breather between the heavier rock songs of the album.
The newest single off the album, Quiet Night In, continues to flaunt the band’s flair for well-balanced and wonderfully arranged rock tracks. The pounding drums and driving bass line form a dynamic base the song that allows room for the ongoing duel between guitars and vocals to drive the song. The lyrics fit with the band’s lad rock attitude, they’re catchy and just by listening to the track you can hear a live audience shouting them right back at the band.
With heavy rock beat forming a driving force under the track, Here To Stay is a standout on the album. Their work with Richardson who has made his name working with heavier bands, is highlighted in this song, with the guitar and drums taking blasting through to create a strong counterpoint to the vocals. Unfortunately its placement as the 8th track has taken what should be a notable track to simply another song that is lost amongst the rest of the album.
As the title and closing track Welcome Home is certainly a highlight of the album. The song has a slower build than earlier tracks but nevertheless reaches a pinnacle of soaring guitar riffs and powerful vocals. Finishing off the album, this track not only creates a memorable close that begs for a repeat play, it also sets us up to hear what All The Young come up with next.
Overall, Welcome Home is a solid effort for All The Young’s debut album. The album itself is not as distinctive as the band was striving for, it does however play as a strong rock that can certainly be seen as a solid foundation for the band’s future records.
Bethany Williams
Today builds into a floor-stomping rock track with a heavy drum track and wailing guitar riffs. The lyrics are full of the bravado lad rock bands are known for, however they are lost under the weight of the guitars. This song would fit perfectly into a live show, with the driving force bringing an audience up on their feet and jumping along, but unfortunately doesn’t work as well in a studio setting.
The First Time highlights how good this band is when they get everything right. Ryan Dooley’s powerful vocals balance out the soaring guitar melodies that are brought together over the strength of the rhythm section of the band. This track shows off the musical talent of the band with their ability to create a perfectly balanced track while still featuring individual members.
New Education, in recognition of the band’s former name, does justice to the band’s own history as well as the live version that is often noted as the highlight of their concerts. With the musical arrangement pulled back into the background of the track, Dooley’s vocals are highlighted and create an intimate atmosphere in the song as well as a breather between the heavier rock songs of the album.
The newest single off the album, Quiet Night In, continues to flaunt the band’s flair for well-balanced and wonderfully arranged rock tracks. The pounding drums and driving bass line form a dynamic base the song that allows room for the ongoing duel between guitars and vocals to drive the song. The lyrics fit with the band’s lad rock attitude, they’re catchy and just by listening to the track you can hear a live audience shouting them right back at the band.
With heavy rock beat forming a driving force under the track, Here To Stay is a standout on the album. Their work with Richardson who has made his name working with heavier bands, is highlighted in this song, with the guitar and drums taking blasting through to create a strong counterpoint to the vocals. Unfortunately its placement as the 8th track has taken what should be a notable track to simply another song that is lost amongst the rest of the album.
As the title and closing track Welcome Home is certainly a highlight of the album. The song has a slower build than earlier tracks but nevertheless reaches a pinnacle of soaring guitar riffs and powerful vocals. Finishing off the album, this track not only creates a memorable close that begs for a repeat play, it also sets us up to hear what All The Young come up with next.
Overall, Welcome Home is a solid effort for All The Young’s debut album. The album itself is not as distinctive as the band was striving for, it does however play as a strong rock that can certainly be seen as a solid foundation for the band’s future records.
Bethany Williams