The Yards

The Yards - Album Review

The Yards

Former Seahorse, Chris Helme has returned with his latest offering for our musical enjoyment - The Yards.

This self-titled album is a truly tremendous contribution from this York-based fivesome and Helme’s distinctive vocal is as easy and laid back as ever.

There are a whole heap of influences here; classic 60s psychedelia, the rebelliousness of punk, clear and present emotion and damn good melodies – all wrapped up in one little album.

First single taken from the album will be released at the beginning of April. ‘The devil is alive and living in DC’, is the album’s only real opportunity to rock out and is a catchy and surprisingly soulful track which really gives drummer, John Miller the chance to show us what he’s made of. However, this track isn’t reflective of the rest of the album which tends to be more restful, sit in a hammock on a summer’s day-type of melodic rock.

Helme’s vocals are really put to task with ‘Only myself to blame’ and he comes up smelling of roses. I’m sure this track’s anthemic proportions will play a blinder with a live crowd; classic Helme chorus action coupled with a carefully crafted solo form guitarist Chris Farrell makes this one of my favourites.

Tracks like ‘ California’ and ‘Pure’ keep that soulful vibe running through this northern rock’n’roll like a dose of salts. At times almost trippy in their urgency and even positively tear-jerking in their beauty, they put a great lid on this album.

Not the most revolutionary, different or original album that’s ever been created but a great listen and if you are a fan of Helme’s its a definite must have to check out the progression of the sound.

7/10

http://www.theyards.org

Jemma Volp-Fletcher

The yards

The Yards - 2nd Review

The Yards - The Yards

The psychedelic sixties feel is captured then dragged kicking and screaming; placed into a bag and served up as a modern treat, fuelled by the lucid and yearning vocals of former Sea Horse Chris Hames. This York based quintet with theaid ofa kicking keyboard element and fuzzy guitars cover a range of emotions on this diverse debut. Hames’ voice playfully skips passed a bevy of broad vocal influences from Danny Mcnamara in ‘Only Myself To Blame’ to Johnathon Donahue in ‘Get off My Back’ and contains traces of Guy Garvey and Matt Hales throughout.

This relatively serene offering, clatteringly takes off with a little help from percussionist John Miller, as the guys blast into the AC/DC incited, Bush bating blaster of a previous single “The Devil Is Alive and Well and Living In DC”. The Yards have dug up a poetic debut that is a must accompaniment for those wishing to dive into a diverse sea of indie this summer.

David Adair