Scanning through some of The Young Republic’s self-proclaimed influences, Wilco (meh), John Lennon (meh), Dylan (boo), and Hank Williams (a.k.a the m and f-ing greatest), I was rightfully wary of hearing another band with too much influence and not enough identity, but after hearing “The Alchemist,” which is the first track off their sophomore album, Balletesque, I knew that my fears had been unfounded.
These guys are Hank Williams indeed, but they are also John Williams, maybe even a Southern Walkmen, as well as their own eclectic time-signature mashing brand of spooky southern punk. Most of the songs off of Balletesque stroll through genres effortlessly, while never feeling forced. Even on “Rose Parade,” a very, very, Tom Waitsian stomp, it seems to be a natural exertion of ugly anger, but never a forced homage.
Balletesque is a variegated rock n’ roll orchestra, that stretches farther in an hour than most acts do in their entire careers. For example, check out the jump from “Sam Clemens,” an elegiac creepy crawly of a song, to the title track, “Balletesque,” which is two minutes filled with violins and The Replacements.
Oh yeah, and did I mention the great violin work? It’s swell.
So while you are at Stonefly this Friday night, you can go ahead and pick up a copy of Balletesque, go ahead, you deserve it.
Mp3: The Young Republic – Napoleon Roses
Mp3: The Young Republic – Tough Year (Hard Waltz)
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