Your 33 Black Angels "Lonely Street"

I got a cool tip a month or two ago about this band when I was finishing reviews about The Mother Hips. Well unfortunately it took too long to get to because it’s a pleasant surprise. Y33BA is a Brooklyn based band that gets to the very roots of great lo-fi pop. Starting with “I took a Deep Breath” lead singer Josh Westfal’s vocals resemble Lou Reed of the Velvet Underground. A ton of indie bands try to emulate the Velvets and often sound horrible. Y33BA not only does the sound right, but they have a unique spin on the approach that bring in powerful melodies and excellent lyrics. Hell, even Rolling Stone’s noticed it as one of David Fricke’s picks. As the album continues, “Psycho On Your Side” is a fun bouncy slice of rock similar to The Mother Hips and Wilco, with complimentary dissonant sounds trailing the main melody. The balladry is also engaging and my favorite track is “Town and Country” which sounds as good as anything Jeff Tweedy could perform, if not better. By the time we get to “Once I Dreamed The Future” it picks up some energy and continues to encourage repeat listens. The ballad “So you say you want love?” channels classic Big Star’s 3rd album as well with a gorgeous melodic chorus including Josh and an uncredited female vocal. The offbeat and semi-instrumental “Every time I see Your Broken Face” is just as compelling as it is unpredictable. All twelve tracks have merit and you can buy the album from them directly off the My Space page.

Your 33 Black Angels Page | My Space

Listen to “Sue”