YEN HARLEY The Substance Of Things

Named after an old flame of mainman Lukas Batteau, Utrecht based Yen Harley (Lukas Batteau – vocals / guitar, Rolf Perdok – guitar, Josine van der Splinter – bass, and Berry Vink – drums) have a distinctly none European sound. But that’s the nature of today’s global music industry.

Originally influenced by the grunge bands of the early nineties such as Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice In Chains and Pearl Jam, Yen Harley Mark I broke up in 2006, after which Batteau – encouraged by his wife – reinvented himself as an acoustic singer songwriter.

And although that went well, with a well received EP and over a hundred gigs in 12 months, including festivals and opening for the likes of Tracy Bonham, Batteau yearned for the darker, heavier sound that only a band could provide.

So, in 2009 Lukas Batteau (the band) was assembled and after some hard gigging set to work in the studio to record The Substance Of Things. With the band complimenting, in a restrained fashion, and with Batteau’s vocals well up in the mix it’s a combination that gives Yen Harley a somewhat unique sound.

With the exception of the Michael Stipe / REM influenced Call It Love For the album is a dark, brooding and ponderous affair. It’s not going to get any party started, but it is perhaps the appropriate accompaniment to the end of a stoned evening. ***

Review by Pete Whalley

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