“A Perfect Soundtrack For A Thoughtful Sunday Afternoon”

“Inva De Siva” manaloft records

I was first turned on to Years Around The Sun (YATS) by my friends at GLOBE through their amazing surf film “Secret Machine”.
A few songs from their debut E.P.. “Introstay” were peppered throughout the film adding some nice flavor to that diverse and fresh soundtrack.
I really liked the film too but that’s another story for later.
Year’s Around the Sun can and has been compared to Pinback, another San Diego band but I myself hear the influence but would say YATS has their own special blend of things going. I think I can talk well on this subject being that I myself played bands that sounded a bit like and a lot like Pinback on the radio back in 1990-95; Powerdresser, Heavy Vegetable, Spanakorso, Three Mile Pilot and others. Ok so some of the guys in Pinback were in those bands but most the kids in Years Around the Sun were only young one’s back then.

I was very excited to get this full length after being so taken by their debut e.p. I hoped it would match the vibe, songwriting and musicianship and they didn’t let me down.
I often listen to music I am reviewing while driving and I constantly marvel at“the lush production and perfectly spaced sounds as they act like a painkiller on the soul releasing a calmness and ease as you drive along looking at the ocean and sky”. Putting this CD on between the showings at a recent film festival laid a blanket of warmth over the crowd and seemed to hush the din.
Songs like “Beyond The Waves”, “Roundabout” and “Failing At Art” rang true to what I liked about the e.p. These songs, like the e.p. make for a perfect soundtrack for a thoughtful Sunday afternoon as well as they fit in a modern artistic surf film.

I’ve seen the band a couple times live as well and while it’s not a rock show as it were they play like the recordings sound and that’s pretty excellent with all the double vocals and intricately spaced sounds they create.
I’d love to see these guys get out of California maybe to France or to Japan and the Green Room Festival. If you have a chance take in a live show and make sure as well to grab both of their releases. Good stuff for sliding with your waterproof MP3 player.

Best ways to find this album; They are on a small label out of San Diego California called Manaloft Records. Go to them first, support the label and support the band.
Other places to find the recordings would be; iTunes, Lou’s Records and your favorite Indie store.

“Introstay” e.p. Manaloft records

I was first turned on to this band watching the band play the premiere of the surf film “Secret Machine”. The room was awash with multiple layers of stills and motion pictures projected on the walls and over the band. It was pretty dang cool. I’m always impressed with Globe’s attention to detail in their events and this was a topper.
Anyways I went directly to Lou’s records in Leucadia to grab the bands e.p. within the next few days and wore it out. The band’s sound oozes influences of Qualudia bands from the past such as Three Mile Pilot, Powerdresser, Heavy Vegetable and bands from those ashes like Pinback. I played those bands constantly on my radio shows in the early 90’s and I still love this kind of music today. Check out the 7 song e.p. that has more groovy songs on it than many of your regular 10-12 tracks CD’s of today. My favorites include “Align”, “Dry Lake Bed” and “Sinclair”.

For more information Manaloft records