Music • The
Subways invade the United States with
its new album, “Young to Eternity.” The
Subways
The
Subways bring fresh sound to new album
By Angela O’Brien
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer
You can add English power-trio the Subways—why they aren’t called
the Undergrounds remains a mystery—onto the ever growing list of rock ‘n’ roll
bands warranting that distressed, vintage sound. However, the youthful group
is one band to finally get it right.
The Subways are brothers Billy Lunn on vocals and guitar, Josh Morgan on drums
and childhood friend Charlotte Cooper on bass and backing vocals. When they
were barely entering their teen years, each member of the Subways was greatly
influenced by bands like Oasis, Nirvana, the Pixies and the Sex Pistols. It
wasn’t long before they decided to learn their respective instruments
and come together in a power-rock trio.
Last fall, the rock trio flew across the pond and warmed up the Yanks by following
bands like Death Cab for Cutie and the Killers to Southern California for a
guest stint on Fox’s “The OC.” Lucky for the Subways, Seth
Cohen and gang made the band’s first single
“Rock & Roll Queen” tickle your eardrums on “The OC: Mix
5” months before the band re-released its debut album, “Young for
Eternity,” to Americans on Valentine’s Day this year.
The 13-song disc begins with “I Want to Hear What You Have to Say,” an
enchanting tune which showcases both Lunn and Cooper’s echoing vocals.
It is hard to stay still to lyrics like “My head is spinnin’ round
I don’t know what to do / If I’m so happy I’ve got everything
to lose” bouncing back and forth to Morgan’s instant upbeat drumming.
Releasing “Rock & Roll Queen” as a first single was the smartest
maneuver for the up-and-coming British invasion. Obviously written about Lunn’s
muse, fiancée and fellow band mate, Cooper, “Rock & Roll Queen” is
a catchy, fun rock ditty pedestal any female musician would want to be on.
Though the lyrics contain a bit of the cheese factor (“You are the sun
/ You are the only one / You are so cool / You are so rock and
roll”), I commend the Subways for its simplistic attitude toward rock
music. The Subways proves bands don’t need to have serious song lyrics
and technical progressions
The record slows down in the second half with the captivating, jaunty ballads “No
Goodbye” and “She Sun.” However, the majority of the album
remains cheery, light-hearted rock tracks.
From “Young to Eternity’s” catchy hooks to the whimsical
ballads, the Subways has skillfully crafted its fresh, glowing personalities
into a carefree and buoyant debut album.
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