Subscribing To My Youth
Temporary Basement
© Copyright-Temporary Basement
(783707492520)
Record Label: clickclick
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"Subscribing to My Youth" is a big step forward for the Woodbridge, Virginia power pop band, sure to please old fans while attracting legions of still-unacquainted folk.
Ever since 1998, with the release of their self-titled debut, Temporary Basement has been pummeling the NoVa/D.C. scene with sweet sounds that can go from emo to reggae to metal to alt-rock all within the same song.
Guitarist Mike Favila levels the crowds with his self-effacing lyrics and overdriven Gibson riffs on such songs as "Maybe I" and "My Hands Laid Bare." A recent graduate of James Madison University, he is now back in Woodbridge and trying to devote more time to the band (especially when his boss isn't looking). The fact that the three of them are family makes it all too easy to do so.
Cousin Erik Ulsaker's funky slunky bass work can contribute a beautiful melody on new tracks like the Beatles-inspired "Two Radios" or provide a steady anchor to the rhythmic masterpiece they call "The Bus." He has been going to Radford University for the past year, gleefully making the commute back to DC for every show and session that Temporary Basement requires of him. His interests include lacrosse and finding a closer college.
Then there is the brother Emil Favila, who provides better backing vocals from behind the kit than most drummers with twice his experience. At 19, this heaviest of heavy hitters is also the youngest member in the band. We hear that he could outrow everyone else on the Woodbridge High crew team, but he refuses to brag about it. Emil sings lead on the album closer "Yearbook," a surprisingly mature look at the nature of school hallway relationships and the decade of summertime blues that accompanies graduation. Yes, that is his xylophone tonefully sprinkled among several songs on the new CD.
Since the most unfortunate death of their other guitarist Kevan Ulsaker in 1997, Temporary Basement has shared the stage with several area guitarists, but none of them has been able to duplicate the groovy and silky methods of the original. Lucky for us, this band is still aiming to please and excel with "Subscribing to My Youth."
Emil Favila: vocals, drums, xylophone
Mike Favila: vocals, guitars, piano
Erik Ulsaker: vocals, bass
Sean Urban: guitars
Erik Bruner-Yang: keyboards
all songs recorded and mixed by JP Maheu and TB.
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author: Shannon Cleary
Temporary Basement has this genuine quality to them. Their lyrics have a relatable feature to them and the music does something, which I think is brilliant. I cant exactly put my foot on it but I hear a song of theirs and I think of how they were influenced by this band. For some reason, I can’t remember the name of the band, but Temporary Basement add their own testament to it.
There’s a nice combination of styles on this record “Subscribing To My Youth.” You can see styles similar to punk, emotional, alternative, reggae, indie, and straight rock. I think what adds a nice touch to their music is Keyboardist Eric Bruner-Yang. The placement of his musical styling shows up as a major advantage to Temporary Basement throughout this record.
What stands out to me also is Vocalist/Guitarist Mike Favila. His voice is almost an instrument of its own as it takes a hold of the listener in songs like “My Hands Laid Bare” and “Maybe I.” In “Maybe I” he sings to an audience that have felt the need to feel safety in another person. I think that the lyrics are brilliant. They just make me smile but at the same time, I could see myself at a show singing along. The ending puts the icing on the cake with Temporary Basement building to an explosive conclusion of emotional intensity combining the guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, and Mike’s heart wrenching vocals.
I think that what makes this band so appealing to me is that they have perfected a style and made very credible music. I find myself humming the lyrics or bass lines from one of their songs during daily life. If you compare this album with “TBCD” I think you will find a more matured band. They have grown a lot since their last release and still find ways to take music styles that already exist and add their own personal touch.
In Alexandria, there are a lot of bands that just flat out suck and I think that what makes me the happiest after having listened to Temporary Basement’s record is that it fills me with hope. It makes me see something very important. That making good music is possible and Temporary Basement inspires me. If you ever get the chance to see them live or go pick up one of their records. Do it, you will not be disappointed. Introduce yourself to the best band in the Virginia area.
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