Album Review

Young Guns – Bones

• 6th Feb 2012

In 2010, British Alt-Rockers Young Guns released their first full length album, “All Our Kings Are Dead”, to critical acclaim. And while the reception to this album was justified, the worry is always if the band can measure up with their following offering.

In late 2011, I happened to bump into the guys on a night out. And while it was never an official interview, I did manage to tell them how excited I was about second album, ‘Bones’. I was also told that the then-released single from the album, “Learn My Lesson”, was not the best track on ‘Bones’. So, my excitement rose.

And now, after hearing it, that excitement, the hype, paid off. ‘Bones’ brings out everything that was strong about ‘All Our Kings Are Dead’, and adds to it.

Album opener “I Was Born, I Have Lived, I Will Surely Die” takes in the booming guitars and infectious choruses that Young Guns are known for. It is an explosive track which sets the bar for the proceeding 11 songs. “Dearly Departed” maintains the same formula, working just as well.

Current single and title track “Bones” is as we’ve heard it online and through radio play. This has given listeners a clear cut idea of what to expect from the album. It has Young Guns’ distinct sound with the added value of gang vocals, just waiting to be roared from within an arena venue.

“Towers (On My Way)” is what you would expect if Young Guns were to ever write a punk song – short, fast, loud with Gustav Woods recognizable vocals leaping over it. This is in stark contrast to “Hymn For All I’ve Lost”, a short ballad, if not a poem with only a soft guitar carrying it.

One of the strongest tracks of the album follows. “You Are Not” conveys more emotion than anything Young Guns have released to date. This is evident in the lyrics “You don’t even know me / Yet you pass judgement out”, and in Wood’s vocals taking a turn into ferocity towards the end of each chorus. Listen to believe.

“Brothers In Arms” and “Learn My Lesson” had already been released by the band, the latter being the lead single for the album. Both songs have enough energy to stand as their own release, away from the rest of the album.

After which we find ourselves at “Everything Ends”, a song which seems to draw inspiration from U2, or specifically The Edge. John and Fraser Taylor’s guitar work on this track is different from what we’ve previously heard, thus showing the band are comfortable to enter new musical territory.

After the poignant instrumental “Interlude”, we come to “Headlights”, a song with such a massive opening it deserves to be mentioned. This is broken back down during the chorus, where the song is stripped back to its raw fundamentals.

Then the album closes with “Broadfields”, again something very different from anything Young Guns have released previously. A slight song which builds throughout, to massive avail.

‘Bones’ is an album which shows it is possible for bands to continue to release stellar work. Many bands have fallen victim to that “tough second album”, but Young Guns have taken it in their stride. If you were a fan previously, you’ll love it. If you weren’t, give it a go. You’ll be pleasantly surprised, ‘Bones’ has a lot more to offer than you might think.

Tracklist:
I Was Born, I Have Lived, I Will Surely Die
Dearly Departed
Bones
Towers (On My Way)
Hymn For All I’ve Lost
You Are Not
Brothers In Arms
Learn My Lesson
Everything Ends
Interlude
Headlights
Broadfields

Download: You Are Not, Bones, Learn My Lesson