Youinseries "Outside We Are Fine" (Equal Vision)
By Peter A. Holden
Thursday. Jun 29, 1:47 AM
A refreshing side street in the ongoing monotony of rock-interstate highway driving.

One thing that rock music absolutely needs is the invigoration of youth. Youinseries have that youthful strength and vibrance. The age group of 18 to 22 is pretty much the general bracket for a lot of rock bands, especially within the genres of post-hardcore, pop punk, screamo, emocore, etc. etc. It’s sort of required in order to put up with the rigors of starting at the very bottom and eeking out a spot for themselves at the top against seemingly millions of replicants. Because of this, so many of them need to stay focused, have a mantra of sorts, and keep their heads up in the face of enormous odds. Again, it only comes with the territory, and luckily, at that age, it’s easier to stay upward thinking and positive. Outside We Are Fine revels in that youthful push, drive, and enthusiasm for this particular type of life.

What separates them from many other bands in their class is their distinct approach to vocals and song construction. Where it’s very clear the members of Youinseries began their endeavors in hardcore bands (tone quality and choice in their instruments, and aesthetics in production), they’ve burst out of the limits in pretty big ways. The vocals first and foremost (as is usually the case) are quite evenly pronounced and sung-out, unscreamed or heavily strained (the exception is a moment during the closer “Often Too Much Thomas Kincade”). Singer Kyle Lobeck seems to be far more interested in the lightly beautiful but emphatic style. It’s pretty triumphant, even airy and choral at times. Still, the subtle teenage voice-crack inflections pepper the lines periodically, but overall it’s a far more developed approach to singing rather than the belting and whining like so many My Chemical Romances will produce. Without changes from typical 3, 4, 5 pop song structure, it wouldn’t matter how different this band’s singer chose to be. But luckily, this is a heightened, atmospheric approach to hardcore rock. Hence why the term “post-hardcore” applies so aptly. I would call it the thinking man’s hardcore, as it isn’t all thrash and tear distortion. Instead, it’s an admixture of lots of subtler elements; plenty of soft, gentle guitar moments in between the overarching, heart-wrenching spirals into grandeur. All this, with a hardcore sensibility at its base. It’s a tad Sade, a sprinkle of Sigur Rós for layers, and a ton of lofty and powerful guitar punch.

Youinseries are like a divergence from inundation. There’s lots of music out there these days to wade through, no matter what your genre or music of choice. Youinseries are a refreshing side street in the ongoing monotony of rock-interstate highway driving (picture those majestic shots of roads in Arizona like in Forrest Gump and other films).
www.youinseries.com
www.equalvision.com

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Peter A. Holden

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