On 17th February 2012 at 19:34 Backyards wrote...
Cheers for the review! Just want to pedantically point out that the EP is titled 'If You're Scared' not 'Don't Be Scared'.
Backyards
Live at Nation of Shopkeepers on Wednesday, 15th February 2012
In a world where 'hipsters don't dance' it's always nice to see the well coiffed heads bobbing along at Shopkeepers. As one of the definitive Leeds venues, bands can be safe in assuming they'll get a crowd, regardless of their social standing on the circuit.
The night's first offering was The White Album. From the word go, the Danish 3 piece gave forth some stunning vocal harmonies that reverberated around the bar and delicately created a heart warming, fairy tale atmosphere. Their material occasionally broke into something a little heavier and through this, they gave their set variation and diversity. Filling out choruses and cleverly utilising all of the melodic options at their disposal.
Fans of folky, acoustic, close harmony vocals/bands that sound like Fleet Foxes, catch them while they're in the U.K.
I suppose I should give mention to the three most immaculate beards I've ever seen, I'm talking seriously large beards here. Big enough for birds to nest in.
Next up, another three piece from somewhere a bit closer to home. The crowd seemed to be dotted with the dedicated fans of Buffalo Bones and when a token feedback intro let to some raucous guitar distortion, an excitable mood overtook the audience.
They had a big sound, but it lacked depth. A three piece band requires more than route notes from the bass player so it can groove a little and feel full. Also instead of just picking riffs from blues scales, the guitar parts need a real hook. A catchy riff line to give it structure.
Unless their intention was a racket, and judging by their personas, they like to think they're cleverer than that, they failed to deliver anything new or exciting. I also like to believe there's a difference between singing and talking loudly. The odd screech here and there did nothing to create a veil over a timid vocal range.
Credit to the drummer for showing some flare and instigating a little rhythm behind the noise.
Finally, releasing their E.P 'If You're Scared' were Backyards. It's a rare and tender moment when a band come together in perfect harmony, blending imagination and innovation to perform an enthralling set of songs that all work perfectly alongside each other in a pristine balance.
Taking the best aspects of a variety of genres, they have created a sound that is quite their own. Synth and strings combining to produce a beautifully crafted sound that filled shopkeepers with their unique imagination and a flowing, graceful air.
The Anglo/American vocal duo took turns to showcase their abilities, huge, cinematic vocals rang out around the room, proving that when playing live, the band are a force to be reckoned with. Not to mention possessing an intense modesty that suited the band's naturally intelligent posture.
See them live, buy the E.P, treat yourself.
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Backyards
"Everything is incorporated into Backyards' sound; much more than the simple Indie dynamics of guitar, bass and drums. Keyboards make an appearance, string sections...and music that is atmospheric; contrasting between dark and light, upbeat and melancholic." - AltSounds.Com
