You In Series – Outside We Are Fine / 2006 Equal Vision / 10 Tracks / http://www.youinseries.com / http://www.equalvision.com / Reviewed 17 July 2006

You In Series come through on their “Outside We Are Fine” with a sound that allows each of the band members to add something important to the overall sound of the act straight off of the bat. Instead of just giving the bassist some time to shine at points, You In Series allow eir to come forth and throw in as early as the first few seconds of “The Watcher”. The one strong thing that is immediately noticeable about You In Series is that the tracks on “Outside We Are Fine” easily flow into each other. When it came time to write and record the songs on this album, the band was determined to go and make something that could be conceived of as a concert album, instead of some collection of singles.

Of course, the production helps with that as well. Even when there is a set of strings thrown into the mix (as is the case with the title track), the steady hands of the producer are quick to contextualize this different sound into something that can aid and otherwise help the band realize their goal. All of the tracks on “Outside We Are Fine” with the except of the final track however in the three to four minute range. However, the epic style of You In Series’ sound during “Outside We Are Fine” means that individuals can begin to feel as if each of the tracks are much longer than their stated runtimes.

“Lose Faith in the Truth” is album to pull double duty for the band, as it contributes to the overall sound of the disc as well as being the first track on “Outside We Are Fine” that could conceivably be used as a single. The virtuosic guitar lines, plus the multiple sets of vocals that give a highlight to certain words and phrases during the track, give the track this crossover ability. You In Series is a very humble band, and they allow their music to speak for them in places where many other bands would prefer to brag and boast. It is the humble nature that makes me appreciate “Outside We Are Fine” the most, and makes me hope that the example set by You In Series on this disc will be picked up by other bands in the near future. Order this album from your local store and be wowed at this presentation.

Top Tracks: When And Where A Real World Occurs, Outside We Are Fine

Rating: 7.0/10

[JMcQ]