Young Rebel Set - Curse Our Love

by Dixie Ernill

published: 24 / 4 / 2011

Label: EMI
Format: CD

intro

Versatile debut album proper from hard touring, but critically under-acknowledged Stockton-On-Tees seven-piece skiffle pop group, Young Rebel Set

Having poured practically every last drop of blood, sweat and tears into their band, the Stockton 7 serve up a wonderfully diverse debut album that should be the spring board to the greater riches they deserve. Almost two years of non-stop gigging has enabled them to build up a decent following, particularly in Germany where they have toured at least half a dozen times, but the media have not always picked up on their finely crafted musical output (in the shape of several singles and an EP) thus far. Indeed it still amazes me (and no doubt the band more so!) that their second single, the anthemic 'Walk On'was not blaring out of every radio in the land when it surfaced back in 2009. Thankfully, it has a second bite at the cherry as it is included on the album along with most of their earlier releases. The album opens with classy current single 'Lion's Mouth', which has a harder, more 80's feel than their more usual skiffle-pop style, followed by the simple but effective love song 'If I Was', a song that would make Johnny Cash proud. Elsewhere, gritty ode to drinking, 'Won't Get Up Again' and the excellent 'Measure of a Man' have that Northern edge to them that could have only been born from those who have experienced life in the hardened working class towns the right side of Birmingham. It would sound utterly fake for a group of dandies from say Oxford or Windsor to deliver such songs. Away from the upbeat tracks the band also have a tender side that shines superbly on the plaintive sonnets to lost friends or loved ones such as 'Bagatelle' and album closer 'Billy Died'. 'Curse Our Love' is already a serious contender for album of the year.

Track Listing:-

1 Lion's Mouth
2 Walk On
3 If I Was
4 Won't Get Up Again
5 Borders
6 Red Bricks
7 Measure Of A Man
8 Bagatelle
9 Fall Hard
10 Precious Days
11 Billy Died

Band Links:-

http://www.youngrebelset.com/
https://www.facebook.com/youngrebelset
https://twitter.com/youngrebelset
https://www.youtube.com/user/YoungRebelSet
http://shop.youngrebelset.com/

Label Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/VirginEmiRecords/
https://twitter.com/VirginEMI
http://www.virginemirecords.com/

Have a Listen:-

live reviews

Moho, Manchester, 16/7/2010

At the end of a hard week at work , Dixton Ernill at the Moho in Manchester has his energy replenished by an impressive set of skiffle pop from Stockton-on-Tess seven piece, the Young Rebel Set

Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 14/4/2010