THE EARLY YEARS were born in London in 2004 when David Malkinson decided to do a solo gig armed with a guitar, an amp and a large number of effects pedals creating a wash of psychedelic guitar noise for 20 minutes in front of about 20 people. From there, the only way forward was to expand the line up to include two friends - Roger Mackin and Phil Raines on guitar and drums respectively.
Creating a noise born out of Dave's love for ambient noise and melody (Mogwai, Acid Mother's Temple, Spiritualized), Roger's hankering for 60's Garage, drones and feedback (Television, Velvet Underground, Spectrum) and Phil's dedication to the krautrock beat (Neu!, Can, Tortoise), The Early Years have successfully nailed their own brand of fuzzy yet melodic guitar pop.
Both live and on record, the results are stunning. They never sway from their ambition to make inventive, original and accessible music. Folks overseas have already been converted to their “noisy majesty” (Drowned in Sound) at several big UK festivals, and key support slots. They were on late-night MTV2 rotation in the UK, and their music was heard on a Nike World Cup ad. Either way, once their music takes hold, you'll be duly impressed.
The album kicks off with their debut single ‘All Ones & Zeros’; featuring the motorik beat, driving guitar and sonics last heard coming from the direction of Brian Eno’s studio in the mid 70's, it’s a perfect illustration of what The Early Years are striving to achieve. ‘Things’, a warming country ballad that highlights the gentler side of the band, builds into a crescendo reminiscent of The Velvet Underground live in 1969 while ‘The Simple Solution’ takes the listener on a journey, ending in a maelstrom of crashing cymbals and duelling guitars. More poignant and beautiful is ‘Brown Hearts’, displaying the affection the band have for sweet melodic song craft and closing proceedings on side A is ‘Song for Elizabeth’, a song written to a lost love that sounds like early-Jesus & Mary Chain if Phil Spector had been at the helm.
‘Muzik Der Frühen Jahre’ starts up the other side, gesturing nods to the trios love for mid 70’s electronic kosmische, promptly followed by their second single, ‘So Far Gone’, a track built around a juggernaut of a guitar riff that was written after watching the film DIG!. ‘High Times’ was the first song to be written as a collective and has evolved into a live favourite. Lastly, finishing the album is the piano led ‘This Ain’t Happiness’, which again highlights their gentler side, climaxing into a poignant wall of ebow and Beach Boys harmonies; a beautiful end to an ear-catching debut.
This expanded US version of their self-titled debut contains a bonus EP with unreleased tracks and videos.
