REVIEW: Pentimento & Young English – Split

Artist: Pentimento & Young English

Album: Split

Label: Panic

With both bands releasing well-received EP’s late last year, New York’s Pentimento and Young English have teamed up to release an eight-track split through Panic Records. For fans of both bands, this split sees them keeping up the momentum previous releases had. While for new fans, it is an ideal introduction.

Buffalo’s Pentimento open up the split with “L’esprit De Escalier (The Stairs),” a raw yet exuberant example of melodic punk rock; Jeramiah Pauly rough vocals combine well with the bands thick guitar riffs and complimentary drum work. Its an edgy, aggressive opener that makes the following track, “No Apology,” sound lighter.

It’s brighter tone and faster tempo give the band the ability to produce an approachable melody. Whereas “To The Bridge” keeps up the momentum with a thriving punk rock tempo and genuine, raw vocals from Pauly. Along with their appreciative, upbeat cover of Dashboard Confessional’s “The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most,” Pentimento are able to leave a valuable impression on their half of the split.

Following on from their “I Hate My Friends” EP, Young English carry themselves well with their brand of Emo Punk. Whilst their latter release seemed to be heavily influenced by the likes of Hot Rod Circuit and The Get Up Kids, this time round tracks like “Woke Up Under Water” and “So Long, Connecticut” give the Orange County, New York group the ability to develop their own identity.

“Woke Up Under Water” is radiant in the chorus with a good hook, and is combined well with the bands lighter, slower melodic approach. Whilst “So Long, Connecticut” takes a near Pop-Punk route, with bold duel vocals and a straight-to-the-point structure making the track quick and easy to digest.

On the other hand, “Old Wives Tale” gives Young English the opportunity to showcase their more “emo” sound; a slow, delicate build-up neatly gives way to a thriving yet slightly predictable full band finale. Nevertheless with distinctive vocals from Chris Pennings and a strong structure, it shows off the band in a good light with a decent amount of variation. Their only downfall is the bands take on The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight.” By covering such a well-known song, it’s clear the band struggled to make the track their own. Whilst all the ingredients are there for them to do it, the finish product isn’t quite there.

Nonetheless with this split release, both Pentimento and Young English set themselves up well for their future full-length releases. Throughout their moments that give both bands plenty of promise and opportunity to form their own identity, something which I think is needed in a genre that is quickly becoming filled with copycat bands.

Personally I expect to hear more from both bands in 2012, and if this split is anything to do by, I’m sure whatever future release both have lined up, they will be greeted with expectation and excitement.

SCORE: 7.5/10
Review written by: Sean Reid

James Shotwell
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