9.01.2009

You Can Be A Wesley... Album Release



So right now it seems indie rock bands are "hip". Yes, to the delight of many, the disgust of others, the hipster scene has taken over the main cities, but... you know what they say: if you can't fight 'em, join 'em...


I'm not trying to build a case in favor of the plaided shirts, the greasy one-week-without-washing hair do's, the fixed gear bikes and the Pabst tall boys.  In fact, it has nothing to do with the new wave! Don't take me wrong.  Honestly, I hate the derogative connotation of this term, and the fact that it has become an over-misused social label.  But I might be digressing...


The bottom line is that in terms of music, I have to say that what some people like to call hipsters DO know what's going on.  And I applaud them.  At least they're daring to put their music out there and put on last minute gigs in basements, local cafes and small bars.  


I say: keep - it - coming!



A few weeks ago (July 20th), I had the chance to see an Allston-based band that go by the name You Can Be A Wesley.  In fact, it was at the Middle East Upstairs on the release party of their album Heard Like Us where I got to sway at the beat of their tunes.  Their bass and guitar riffs inevitably remind me of the Strokes and the Pixies; the vocalist's voice and the dreamy, airy, sweet lyrics are in the style of Of Montreal or Los Campesinos! and... their strong drums are reminiscent of Phoenix? TV on the Radio?  If you love/recognize any of these bands, then you will love this quartet.


Now... what makes YCBW different from any other local, improvised, we-met-back-in-college rock band?  The answer lies on the effect they provoke on the crowd.  I remember talking to a friend a few days ago and arriving to the conclusion that rock concerts were no longer IT.  The crowds were dead, static and pretty much... lame.  But YCBW managed not only to break the crowds, but to elate them and bring them to a complete sing-along hysteria.


They're planning on making it big (yes!) and rumor has it they will begin a US tour soon (which we hope it's true for the benefit of all you indie-music junkies out there).  In the mean, and should you be in the Boston Area... they have scheduled two shows for the month of September:  Middle East Upstairs (Sept. 3rd) and Great Scott (Sept. 26).


Fav tunes:  "Rearrange the Sea", "Balloon Head", "Make Up For God" and "Feed the Moon Starve the Sun".


YOU CAN BE A WESLEY

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