You Say Party! We Say Die! - Danskwad
Record Label: Self-Released
Release Date: August 2004
Before they gained success and national acclaim with their debut album Hit The Floor!, Canadian dance-punk outfit You Say Party! We Say Die! were a simple group of friends who formed due to being in a gang -- a bike gang. Cool points aside, YSP!WSD! were not budding musicians until the Canadian provinces became too cold for their outside dalliances and they retired to vocalist Becky Ninkovic’s basement. The result of these musical sessions in the basement led to the creation of the Danskwad EP, the first release from YSP!WSD!.
The understated production is clear from the off, as is the technicality of the band: drumming not always in time, backing vocals coming in slightly too late and the vocals sounding like they were done in a single take. These comments are not criticisms however; the songs do not sound saturated with unnecessary fodder, making each track sound raw and instantaneous. The dual vocals work well, with Ninkovic’s more punk-style singing echoed with male shouts and screams.
The lyrics can come off repetitive at times, which is a negative for lyrical content but this makes the songs so much more catchy. Meanings aren’t lost in over elaborate metaphors or indulgent one-liners. While some are shockingly bad (“I want to take your clothes off / I want to buy you a milkshake”) the majority are simplistic and direct. What the EP lacks in skill, YSP!WSD! make up for with passion and attitude, which, however endearing, is not enough to make this EP better than hit-and-miss. Ending the EP with a rousing chorus of hooting, laughter, wolf whistles and shouting, these are the exact sentiments that apply to this EP: highly entertaining, if not a bit lacking in finesse.
The EP shows the roots of YSP!WSD!, and while nowhere near as good as their following releases, the Danskwad EP is worth listening to for a short burst of energetic, light hearted fun.
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