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Start Making Sense

by You're Among Friends

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about

Start Making Sense was released on May 8, 2020. In a review posted on the release date, Cleveland Scene said “the album begins with the punchy ‘Trying to Take It All In,’ a track that draws from the Grateful Dead’s poppier side (think ‘Touch of Grey’). Another highlight, the quirky ‘Once the Toothpaste Is Out of Its Tube,’ features lurching guitars and off-kilter tempo changes. ‘Hills You’re Willing to Die On,’ a song that begins with a thick bass riff, offers a change of pace as it has a jazzy feel, albeit with sneering vocals.” Eclectic Music Lover said “with Start Making Sense, You’re Among Friends have delivered yet another thoughtful and pleasing album for us to enjoy. As their name implies, it’s like the return of an old friend with whom we’re able to pick right back up from where we left off. And that, my friends, is a mighty good thing indeed. That comforting low-key vibe, combined with their thoughtful, down-to-earth lyrics about this crazy thing we call life, has a way of making me feel that everything’s gonna be alright. And boy, we can all use more of that right now!” Marc Schuster commented on EML’s review: “Good vibe! Reminds me of the Edgar Winter Group.” CoolCleveland said that Start Making Sense is “a nine-track disc of relaxed folky pop tunes with an early ’70s vibe and even a faint hint of country/Southern rock,” going on to say that “the colloquial titles, such as ‘Once the Toothpaste Is Out of Its Tube,’ ‘Why Do I Dwell On Things?’ and ‘String a Few Nice Words Together,’ capture the unforced vibe of tunes that feel like they emerged, appropriately, from late-night conversations among friends.” Poprock Record said “I love the jazzy swing on ‘Waiting for Life to Start Making Sense,’ definitely a bit of early Elvis Costello-vibing here, and the groove anchoring ‘Once the Toothpaste Is Out of its Tube.’ I also hear a bit of chooglin’ CCR on a few tracks.” Powerpopaholic said that the album “plays out like a fun jam in someone’s basement studio. Love the funk melody on ‘Once the Toothpaste is Out of Its Tube.’ More terrific casual rock like ‘Just Keep Being Nice’ makes this a great album to chill with.” Jr Moz Collective tweeted that “Once the Toothpaste Is Out of Its Tube” has “Alex Chilton solo years chords,” and then added: “This is a hot jam. Wait on the organ. Great voice. All around, I’m a convert.” The Striped Bananas tweeted that the band’s music “reminds us of Graham Parker in a very good way.” Kelly Kintner tweeted that “Why Do I Dwell On Things?” reminded him of “Blind Melon’s second album mixed with some Grateful Dead,” to which another listener responded that he detected “a bit of a funky Little Feat groove.” Pluto Radio said that the same song has a “strange, yet cool groove.” “On Again, Off Again” has been included on the ‘More Than Corn,’ ‘Swingbilly and More,’ and ‘Illegales Gedankengut’ playlists on Spotify. The Music Files (UK) called You’re Among Friends “the ultimate feel-good band that will automatically leave you in high spirits after the first listen,” going on to say that “Once the Toothpaste Is Out of Its Tube” has a “sweet blend of soulful melodies carried on throughout. With the catchy drum beat, infectious bass line and upbeat guitar hooks, listeners will be hooked from the get-go. We recommend you listen to this track after a long day – within minutes you’ll be up dancing your worries away!”

Songs from Start Making Sense have received airplay on over two dozen radio shows and podcasts, including Indie Pop Takeout, Power Pop Overdose, Ice Cream Man Power Pop and More, Cobwebs and Strange, The Rockin’ Blues Show, Blues-ish, Garagerocktopia, and Psychedelic Jukebox. “Why Do I Dwell On Things?” has been featured on the Radio Indie Alliance weekly Top 40 list. “Why Do I Dwell On Things?,” “On Again, Off Again,” and “Trying to Take It All In” have all been featured on the Radio TFSC daily Top 24 list. Banks Radio Australia included “Once the Toothpaste Is Out of Its Tube” on their daily Top 10 Tracks list.

credits

released May 8, 2020

Anthony Doran - vocals and guitars
Kevin Trask - bass
Mike Janowitz - drums

Anthony wrote "Trying to Take It All In," "Waiting for Life to Start Making Sense," "Once the Toothpaste Is Out of Its Tube," "Why Do I Dwell On Things?," "Just Keep Being Nice," "On Again, Off Again," and "String a Few Nice Words Together."

Kevin wrote the main bass riff for "Hills You're Willing to Die On," and Anthony wrote music and lyrics around that riff.

Kevin wrote the lyrics for "My Best Friend Is Never Coming Home," and Anthony set them to music.

Basic tracks were recorded throughout January and early February of 2020 at Kevin's house in Mentor, Ohio.

Anthony overdubbed guitars and vocals from late February through early April of 2020 at home in Bay Village, Ohio.

Kevin mixed these recordings from late April through early May of 2020 at home in Mentor, Ohio.

Mike was the first to suggest using this album title.

Kevin designed the artwork using a photograph he took during one of our sessions.

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You're Among Friends Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland Scene described YAF’s music as having “rollicking blues at its core with a sugary coating of power pop, doused in more than just a little bit of ’90s alt-rock nostalgia.” Indientry said it is “power pop disguised as bluesy rock.” It has also been called “funky, blues-infused folk rock” by Eclectic Music Lover, “casual rock” by Powerpopaholic, and “college rock-ish” by Indie Pop Takeout. ... more

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