Our featured, interview or review...

May 10th 2001. Lido's - Your Precious You.

So what if everyone was dressed like fresh teens going to the local school dance! It was prom night at Lido's! After mingling with the cheery crowd, I hung myself on the wall and waited for a spring chicken to ask me to dance. Well, it never happened. So, I stood there feeling a bit awkward and pretended to be cool. But all that quickly faded as YPY (www.yourpreciousyou.com)took the stage. Fully clad in garments of the Far East, you'd have thought these four chaps were giving an exhibition in Japanese sword fighting or filming the sequel to Crouching Tiger or somehow gone astray from their tour bus.

As soon as Pat (vocals, guitar) hit the strings, the heads hit the floor. The infectious rhythmic tones sent your head a-bobbin while Dan's dreamy, over-delayed guitar work opens your soul to the nostalgias of another time. Their tunes often start as lonely ballads with Pat crooning soulfully in the background but beware because this band can sneak in a dynamic under toe that will knock you on your ass. Kevin's bass work melds in perfect time with drummer, Ace, that grounds each melody in your gut. Pats lyrics harmonize appropriately with the mood of the songs; intelligent, deep, introspective, but not completely outright which gave you the space to ponder. "Think of me but remember me when"… The sound is definitely Brit-Indie based but distinctly original. I'd liken them to a plate of early "Smashed Pumpkins" with a tasty mix of "Verve" on the side and a glass of "The Cure" to wash it all down. Definitely worth another serving!

Unlike the popular jocks of rock, these guys have a big sound without the big attitude and it shows in their performance. It's as if Pat was on bended knee chorusing a chick at the windowsill; likewise this bands' approach welcomes you to the show. Warning! Their energy creeps up on you and sweeps you off your feet! It’s okay; you can take a breath now.

NO teaser here, these guys are definitely seasoned musicians. Their music is ripe and it shows itself in the ability to transition fluidly the dynamic changes of their songs with both skill and ease to leave you wondering, "How the hell did they do that?" Dreamy yet driving, smooth yet energetic, velvety yet piercing. Each song has just enough grit to chastise the eardrums and send you coming back for more.

Well, when it was over, I found myself hangin on the wall but it was all good because I left prom night at Lido's with a couple cool jangles rollin in my head and a phat performance to tell all my mates about. Cheers!