Release Date: September 24, 2011
In the current musical landscape it’s hard to separate genres at time. So-called rock groups are just as easily identified as pop and carry none of the musicianship. Simplicity becomes a heavily sought-after commodity. The Young Rapscallions are that commodity. On their debut LP, Everything Vibrates, they bring forth a sound all too uncommon in this day and age: pure rock ‘n’ roll. The stripped-down sound is very relatable to Foo Fighters’ latest effort to vacate the plush recording studios of Hollywood and record their most recent album in Dave Grohl’s garage. The purest elements come together to create music driven by naked riffs and hypnotizing basslines.
The group consists of the basics: Taylor Messermith on bass, Nick Chamian on guitar, Jonathan Sanders on the mic and Chris Mintz-Plasse (Yes, that’s him. Push past it and listen to the music.) on drums.
The rawness of the pieces lends to letting the listener get straight to the music and Everything Vibrates is the reward for those ears.
The opening track, “Sounds of Acorn,” slowly creeps in before Sanders’ voice introduces the ears to their first taste of heavy guitar and crashing symbols. It’s an inebriated trip down a memory lane no one wants to take, but everyone eventually does. It’s a track that would fit in each of the past few decades, to some degree. “Walking Phoenix” follows it with a bluesy bassline and screeching guitar that continues on the theme of girls controlling the thoughts of men everywhere, with varied pros and cons.
“Running” finds Sanders in an honest cry of loneliness. Alone with his thoughts, he reconciles with himself with a smooth musical setting. This leads into the fast-paced instrumental “Newberry Park Riot” where the guys just get to let loose and go nuts for a minute and a half.
The next chunk of Everything Vibrates brings in the two standout tracks of the album. On “Frankenstein’s Daughter,” the growling vocals backed by a pushing kick drum and the best elements of punk rock and country all come together to tell an all to unflattering metaphorical tale of a hideous monster that must have done something terrible to someone. The growling chorus is aided by the harmonic collective chants of the rest of the guys. After that is “Crumbum,” which opens with a sick bass solo and finds Sanders’ honesty even shining through the bravado he boasts.
“Made By Monks” slows it back down in an ode to wasting the days of summertime. It brings in all the best elements of Red Hot Chili Peppers and introduces saxophone to the record for the first time. The album rounds out with “Yes/No,” a song full of pining for answers and powerful background vocals, and “Midnight Pumpkin,” a positive search for just a glimmer of hope that incorporates a hint of Coldplay.
It’s an honest, stripped-down record that should hit home with the purist of rock fans. This four-piece has put together an excellent introduction into the music world, and it is a record that will be enhanced with every show they play as they start to venture out of L.A. and around the country.
The Young Rapscallions – Everything Vibrates tracklist:
- “Sounds of Acorn”
- “Walking Phoenix”
- “Chain Reaction”
- “Tread This Water”
- “Running”
- “Newbury Park Riot”
- “Frankenstein’s Daughter”
- “Crumbum”
- “Made By Monks”
- “Yes/No”
- “Midnight Pumpkin”
