Young Mammals: AEM106 Young Mammals

“Confetti” is a two-and-a-half minute bundle of energy that’s simply bursting at the seams.  It’s hard to listen without being swept away by the euphoric power.  At the root of this euphoria is a guitar arpeggio which persists throughout practically the entire recording.  It only drops out briefly during the bridge, which allows for a powerful entrance when it reenters at the climax.  Of course, the climax is also heightened by the high pitched screams.  And let’s not forget the background vocals which range from abrasive shouts to smooth harmonies reminiscent of a barber shop quartet.  However, the most interesting part of the song is the ending which pushes the listener to view the exuberance of “Confetti” in a new light.  The climax of the song is so big that there’s no room left to build.  So what’s the solution?  Fuck it up!

Even in a calmer song like B-side “8-4-8”, Young Mammals pack a punch.  Nearly twice as long and with less lyrical content than “Confetti”, it unfolds at a slow pace while Ryan Chavez’s snare-heavy drumline gives it plenty of oomph.  I reemphasize, this is deceptively intense music.  Even when the story behind the music fades, the power of the story remains.  With regard to “8-4-8”, Sanchez elaborates, “I honestly don’t remember what this song is about, it may have even originated when we were in high school. The only thing I think of is the Polar Express. I remember Cley [Miller] coming up with that riff and the drum line and those are my personal favorite parts of that song. His guitar part reminds me of a tornado siren.” So, what is “8-4-8”?  It’s a ride on a magical train to the North Pole, it’s a bell that only believers can hear, it’s a tornado about to lift your house off the ground and dump it in a cow pasture several kilometers away… It’s whatever you feel when you hear it.  It doesn’t really matter where the music comes from but you’re definitely going to feel something. (More at Ampeater)