PAWS
Youth Culture Forever
FatCat Records [2014]
Fire Note Says: PAWS are poised for their breakthrough moment with their sophomore effort!
Album Review: PAWS burst onto my radar with their 2012 debut album Cokefloat!, which rushed by like a sugar addled adrenaline rush. I thought it was a promising debut and though not terribly original, it sure did make up for it by being fun! The Scottish trio from Glasgow are back, and I can’t believe my ears, man they have gotten better, a lot better. They have slowed down the tempos without sacrificing the tunes and their second album, Youth Culture Forever, benefits greatly because of it!
While the punky energy might be dialed back a bit, that’s not to say the band isn’t still exciting, hell tracks like “Let’s All Go” recall the high fiving enthusiasm of Japandroids at their Celebration Rock finest. When not calling to mind that band, I am constantly reminded Okkervil River, another longtime favorite of mine. Perhaps it’s the slightly distorted vocals, but on slower tracks, in particular “Owls Talons Clenching” the band is darn near a dead ringer for the Austin, Texas band. “Erreur Humaine” opens the record, and lets the listener know that they are in for something different. The band experiments with the quiet/loud/quiet dynamic with great effect. “Someone New” shows off the sensitive side of the band, though I have to admit, it’s sensitive through a rocking indie rock filer. It’s a standout on the album, it’s like Sebadoh on steroids. “YCF” sound like sensitive stud music, the kind of lo fi ballads that one croons to the ladies before rocking them like a hurricane. Because it’s still the rocking side of things that the band does best, despite the increased maturity of the band, for every slower track, there is a more uptempo answer. However, it’s the mixture and the sequencing of the two that ultimately make this a more satisfying record than their debut.
Youth Culture Forever is one of those records that kind of hangs around, and you find yourself playing it more and more. Out of nowhere, a track like “Narcissist” will pop into your head, with it’s over the top guitar solos and “wo oh oh” backing vocals, damn I love this stuff. Bands like PAWS make it fun to listen to music, they hit you from all sides and leave you wanting more. This is a band that is positioning itself for a breakthrough. I’m not sure if this one is their Celebration Rock or The Stage Names moment, but they are getting closer with each album. When a band follows up a fun debut album with an even better sophomore record, you can’t help but root for them! Youth Culture Forever indeed!
Key Tracks: “Someone New” / “Narcissist” / “Owls Talons Clenching”
Artists With Similar Fire: Japandroids / Okkervil River / Male Bonding
PAWS Website
PAWS Facebook
FatCat Records
– Reviewed by Kevin Poindexter
Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, I am extremely proud of the area I grew up in and the influence it has had on the world at large, from the Wright Brothers to Robert Pollard, the area has been a center of innovation both technologically and artistically. During my college years at the University of Dayton, I found myself becoming more and more immersed in the local music scene, a period of time in the early to mid 90's that coincided with the rise of bands like Guided by Voices, Brainiac, and The Breeders, who added to the rich musical legacy of the area. Dayton is also the hometown of many giants of funk in the 70's and is also the birthplace of Jazz greats Billy Strayhorn, John Scofield and Bud Shank. I wrote extensively for The Fire Note, a great online magazine focused on indie rock, in the 2010's while simultaneously being a partner in Rockathon Records, before retiring from both in 2018. In 2024, my thoughts turned back to helping at Rockathon and more importantly to pick back up on my writing, and more specifically to write about my love of jazz. I'm always listening, always searching for something new, something great. It's been a lifelong journey, and I still feel like there is so much out there to hear.
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
