CD Review

In contrast to most other organic pop records of similar tastes, Yates Dew seems to favor “rocking out” over grooving. While the quartet’s mostly-live record incorporates the folk and pop structures that characterize the genre, they offer a decisively rawer sound. In fact, the group is more akin to the Counting Crows in terms of their alternative-rock sensibility.

Staying true to rock and roll’s traditional instrumentation of two electric guitars, bass, and drums, Yates Dew seem to filter out any jamband tendencies that color their peers. Darker and a bit more introspective, Yates Dew’s lack of groove is filled by building songs around lyrics as evidenced on the album opening “Feign.” Though the band falls into understandable mainstream-alternative rock anthems, their songs could never be labeled as generic rock. Singer Yates Dew has a distinct, Reid Genauer-like voice that distinguishes him from the Matchbox 20 frat of sound-a-like modern rock groups. Similarly, lead guitarist George Waring incorporates elements of the Byrds and the aforementioned Counting Crows, giving the band a solid folk-rock base.

Comparisons can be drawn, but Yates Dew offer a more stripped down sound than others and embrace a greater pop-palette, such as the lush harmonies of “The Surprise.” “You Bring Me” and “Anyway” are allowed to stroll into stream of conscious-sounding diction, spewing out fast paced lyrics and a folksy melodic hymn. Dew also never wallow in as much self-pity as the Counting Crows and drummer Josh Lawson plays with a less abrasive beat than a standard rock-drummer. The album’s live feel allows it’s chords and choruses to breath easy, especially on the five-minute plus “The Surprise” and the album closing “Letter.” While some of the group’s catchy vocal handles are a bit suspect, such as the “do do dos” on “You Bring it All,” the group offer an original twist to a long patented sound.