Alive in the Superunknown #3 - If I Were In Your Shoes by You Me At Six

Compared to the last 'classic' song I wrote about in 'Alive in the Superunknown' - 'Prowler', by Iron Maiden - 'If I Were In Your Shoes' seems way too new, current and mainstream to have such a title affixed to it. However, despite the track being only four years old, You Me At Six have come a long way since its release, going from an unknown, underground pop-rock group to top festival and arena artists. This extreme popular success, in my opinion, was heavily influenced by the single 'If I Were In Your Shoes', from the band's debut album ' Take Off Your Colours', and that's why I've chosen the track as a classic song to review as part of the old-new-alternating feature that is 'Alive in the Superunknown'.

The track itself is quite different to the material released more recently by the band (The album 'Sinners Never Sleep' and their epic rollercoaster anthem 'The Swarm') on the surface, sounding rougher, more upbeat and more melodic. On the other hand, it is also an embodiment of the classic, trademark sound that fans of the band know and love; a sound that, despite superficial and gradual changes over the years, still remains largely intact to this day.

In reviewing the song, I'm going to attempt to remember how I felt when I first heard it, at around 12 or 13 years old. To this day I can still fondly and vividly recollect the video's debut on Kerrang! TV. For three minutes I was glued to the screen, and fascinated with the unique, energetic, fresh sound of the band. After it'd finished, I remember confidently declaring to friends and family that I had discovered one of the best bands in the world and that they all needed to hear the awesomeness that is You Me At Six. Here's why I think the track was (and still is) so awesome...

•  The guitaring. Is amazing. You can really hear Max Helyer's Iron Maiden influence (he often states in interviews that the metal titans have heavily inspired his guitaring and composition styles), with melodic lines, harmonies and solid rhythmic power chords. The band's two guitarists - Max Helyer and Chris Miller - lock in perfectly and really complement each other's styles and sounds throughout this track.
• The bass. Bassists are never given enough credit, and without Matt Barnes' steady basslines, the track just wouldn't have the heavy, powerful impact that it has. Barnes perfectly complements the guitar melodies and rhythms with an unobtrusive but extremely important bass presence throughout.
• The drums. Dan Flint never misses a beat, and proves that you don't need a million different cymbals and fancy drums to create an impressive, interesting backing to a track (mentioning no names, *cough* Iron Maiden's Nicko McBrain and Slipknot's Joey Jordison *cough*). The drumming on 'If I Were In Your Shoes' gives the song a fast and exciting pace, and holds together the track throughout the many varying verses, choruses and bridges.
• The singing. Some singers have the looks. Others have the voice. Josh Franceschi has the two combined. He has a fantastic, unique voice, with a signature sound. He's like Chad Kroeger crossed with Tyson Ritter... but British. Franceschi's accent also adds interest to his vocal lines, setting the band apart from the typical American-accented pop punk acts that saturate the genre.

'If I Were In Your Shoes' is a fantastic effort by You Me At Six, and as a result, it's unsurprising that the band shot to major success not long after its release. For fans of 'Sinners Never Sleep' and singles like 'The Swarm', it's definitely worth listening to the 'Take Off Your Colours' album as it shows a different, but equally awesome, side to the band. Likewise, any music fans who haven't heard You Me At Six's music (...Where have you been for the past 8 years?) need to have a listen to 'If I Were In Your Shoes' - and the rest of their back catalogue, for that matter!

My only criticism of 'If I Were In Your Shoes' is that it's way too short. If anyone makes an extended remix of this track, I will personally buy them an ice cream.*

PsyD

*No ice creams are available.

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Coming up next week on 'Alive in the Superunknown'...

'Inspector Norse' by Todd Terje

So stay tuned to Superunknown for that and, in a couple of weeks when college is over, a lot more reviews and write-ups on the exciting, ever-changing world of music!