Ever since we started YPA Press a little over a year ago we’ve been swamped with albums in the mail from various labels. Some of them you see prominately displayed on the site in their own seperate columns. Those are the albums usually we are all listening to in and around the office. That however does not include 1/2 of what we get that sadly we never get to tell you about. That’s until now. YPA Press proudly brings you a weekly round up of album reviews from our staff. Check it out and make sure to come back as we’ll be doing this…you guessed it…weekly.
Deas Vail - Birds and Cages - If you’re a big fan of bands like Copeland, Death Cab for Cutie and even Coldplay you’ll probably love this album. The songs are very mellodic and catchy. Songs like Dance In Perfect Time and Puzzles and Pieces remind me of something you’d hear in a really good romantic comedy staring Zach Braff. Personally my favorite track off the album is Sunlight which actually made it on to my morning jogging playlist (a big honor if you know me.) If you’re a fan of melodic music and vocals that have more emotion to them than Lifetime network, than you’ll love Deas Vail.
Stich Hopeless & The Sea Legs - Gone Bats - I really liked this album. Of course really what’s there not to like. One part punk rock, one part psychobilly with the most revolting lyrics since “Who Killed the Prom Queen” by the Necromatix. The album is so fast and furious, sometimes it does get a bit hard to understand what Stitch is saying. On the other hand with lyrics about necrophilia (Corpse Fucker) and serial killing (Blood Bath) it might be a little bit of a blessing not to know exactly what is going on in this album. One thing you will find is that it’ll make you tap your foot at the same time you’ll want to get into a bar fight. Stich Hopeless & The Sea Legs remind me of what would happen if real life pirates played punk rock.
House of Heroes - The Christmas Classics - I’m not a huge Christmas guy. To be perfectly honest I’m a Jew and so I don’t really listen to Christmas songs that often. That being said, I have to admit this CD is pretty catchy. House of Heroes covers such classics as All I Want For Christmas Is You and Silent Night. As if Christmas wasn’t emo enough, this band kicks it up a notch with their own flair on Christmas. This is the sort of album you give to friends as a stocking stuffer.
Strictly The Best 41- Various Artists - Reggae and dub compilation from the fine folks at VP Records. This record is amazing from beginning to end. Vybz Kartel’s Dollar Sign is one of my favorite tracks on the album and worth buying this album alone. Some other notables on the album are Swing by Elephant Man and Gallis by Mr. Vegas. This is probably the best compilation of dub and reggae I’ve ever heard, probably why they’re in their 41st installment of this series. The Chin brothers are amazing producers and I’m looking forward to more compilations by this label.
