Altsounds - Yves Klein Blue – Draw Attention to Themselves (EP)

Named after paint and apparently influenced by Smurfs, unwashed hair and smelly band rooms among many other things, Australian representative of melodic rock Yves Klein Blue released their debut EP ‘Draw Attention to Themselves’ more than a year ago. Time differences, crisis in music land and media favourite credit crunch may have contributed to the delay of the UK release, but whatever the reason was, it doesn’t really matter. The important thing is that it finally arrived. Because the phrase ‘better late than never’ definitely counts in this case.

‘Draw Attention to Themselves’ starts off with ‘Blasphemy’, a short and simple song based on a simple hook wherein the band immediately makes clear what it’s all about; up-tempo songs, melodic, performed by a half talking half singing vocalist Michael Tomlinson and a very tight rhythm section. Continuing with the expressive and exploding ‘Not What I Want’, where the band is accompanied by a brass section, the musical level takes a step back with ‘19’. Though it is good to know that there are still rock bands that are not afraid of showing a more sensitive side, the feeling ‘19’ generates is that of a happy ending in a family friendly Christmas film, in short a little bit too sweeted.

Luckily, everything gets compensated with the excellent ‘Silence is Distance’ and ‘Polka’. Both songs show the strengths of the band, with outstanding raw vocal performances by Michael Tomlinson and a perfect musical marriage between drummer Chris Banham, bassist Sean Cook and guitarist Charles Sale, the latter also proving his skills with marvellous and very well-thought guitar solo’s.

Both songs also show the lyrical qualities of Yves Klein Blue. ‘Polka’, used in a Mitsubishi commercial, seems to be the ultimate get-out-of-the-mainstream song, with Tomlinson singing ‘People got a name for us/ cuz we escape the strain of the days/ oh we stretch in the side and bend in the middle but we never ever break/ so if you wanna lose your frown or your name or even your face/ lick up a dream that seemingly screams with rushing neon death’.

‘Silence is Distance’ is a little les upbeat, narrating the story of a less successful relationship. Though after ‘successful relationships’ probably the most used subject in songs, there’s a certain originality lyrically wise as ‘Silence is distance words are lonely/ there’s miles between your skin and mine/ oh when sin is just words in your silence there’s no crime’ is slightly more imaginary and literary than, for example, ‘you suck’.

‘(a bookend)’, originally the closing track but since the UK version also contains a bonus track relegated to meaningless number six, is a strikingly, beautiful layered piano led instrumental, and reminds in a way of Mike Oldfield’s famous tubular bells. The song starts with two different melodies, respectively on the high part and the low part of the piano and they overrule each other every now and then. The rhythm section doesn’t play a large part but does its work very subtle indeed and for such a simple melody and instrumental, the result is quite extraordinary.

The EP closes with ‘The Streetlight’, a return to the simple straightforward songs, borrowing its melody from music hall and early rock ‘n roll. Though not the best song of the EP, it perfectly sums it up; another catchy, up-tempo song that sounds so simple but is perfectly produced by the almost reciting Tomlinson and supported by the excellent performing guys from the rhythm department.

This month sees the release of Yves Klein Blue’s first full-length album, but it’s highly recommended to listen to ‘Draw Attention to Themselves’ as well. Especially highlights ‘Silence is Distance’ and ‘Polka’ are without a doubt one of the best songs of last year in the genre of catchy music. And without a doubt the best album ever influenced by Smurfs, unwashed hair and smelly band rooms.