My Federation

There are many things that are super embarrassing to share with your parents. Clothes are the main one - no one wants to see mom rocking a mini skirt anymore, not even your dad. Sharing vehicles can also be a hassle, and even sometimes sharing the same views on something sucks because no kid ever wants to hear, "aw, you're just like your mom/dad." However, I think that most kids, deep down, would admit to loving it when their parents dig a band that their listening to. Sure, your dad might get embarrassing when he breaks out on a Rhianna rendition, or your mom's dance moves could be really disturbing - but at least they don't bitch to turn it down.

And with this band, My Federation, your parents might rip on you for starting to get into the sounds of their generation. This British five-piece are one of those bands that reach back to the sounds of the 70's to inspire their own personal sound - and they don't fail about it. (You all know about those bands who are trying to be the next Beatles, Rolling Stones, what have you.)

This is the best way I can break down this band. Take a modern party, throw in a dash of your dad's vinyl collection, a few modern electro bands, and kick it's ass back to 1974. And of course, continue on with the party.

Their first full length album, Don't Wanna Die is the perfect blend of everything that there is to love about modern bands and rock and roll. Each song is packed full with harmonious vocals, bass hooks to grab you by the gut and make you move, there is great energy from the drummer, and occasional guitar solo's to tickle your ear. Then, there is the occasional organ or synth sound that give this band their psychedelic vibe.

Right off the bat, the album starts out with the title song 'Don't Wanna Die.' Instead of jumping right out at you with an immediate powerful hook, it starts out with the harmonious vocals that I mentioned before, a few synths laced between the words, and then it really picks up. This first song is a perfect representation of what this band can do and what the rest of the album sounds like. After all, we all know that the opener is the most important song for anything - and this band fucking nails it.

The next few tracks are as energetic as the first, and then slows down in the fourth song with 'It All Comes Clear.' But even it can't stay down for too long, and in the middle picks up with more grooves to pick it back up again and carry throughout the rest of the song. I can't say I've been to a concert in the 70's, but it reminds me of one of those songs that would be used in the middle of the set - calm the crowd down and get them pumped right back up again.

My favorite song on the whole album is 'Nothing to Say.' I really like the lyrics to this song, along with the beats and the vocals mixed with the almost choral like backing vocals. Again, this song is a perfect representation of how this band takes the old and tosses it in with the new.

After that, each of the songs are just as good as the last. 'The Rising Light' takes on a more relaxed tone, starting out slow, but picks up just a little to keep it from getting dragged out or boring. 'Paper and String' displays the most synth, from what I could hear, and again represents their beautiful concoction of old-and-new. 'Tom Tom' is an instrumental track that showcases the skills of just about everyone in the band (minus the vocalist, of course.) It starts out with a strong drum beat, throws in a little bass and synth. There is even the guitar solo that starts screaming its way out near the end. The song 'Honey For the Soul' is one of those tracks that makes it very obvious as to where they are pulling their inspirations from. With the fuzzy guitar sounds, tambourine, and moving vocals. Then, the album closer 'Something's Gotta Give' starts out with a great drum solo, and some slight symphonics are blended into the sound, giving it more of that harmonious feel. It's a great closer, and leaves me waiting for the next release (until then, I'll be spinning the hell out of this 12-track album.)

The great thing about this album, is that it is fully consistent, yet unpredictable. There are really no tracks that stick out like a sore thumb and make you ask what the hell the band was thinking putting it on there. This band seems to have a very strong grip on what their sound is, and it definitely shows.

My Federation has really captured the essence of the founding fathers of rock, and they do it in a way that's unique, and doesn't sound like they're trying too hard. Next time your dad is complaining about your music selection, toss in My Federation's 'Don't Wanna Die' album, and it will instantly throw him back to his days of vinyl, and dreaming of getting his first six-string.

My Federation's myspace. 'Don't Wanna Die' is also available for purchase on iTunes.

-Courtney Kaz