Ten playfully wicked, exceptionally well-crafted songs make up Arthur Yoria's full length debut, I'll Be Here Awake. Yoria says it's a straight-forward rock album that was written from the point of view of a "nasty, egotistical fictional character" that he vicariously lives through from time to time. However, Yoria's natural warmth makes this character charming in the way that cads can be when they're also talented, funny, and smart. It's a testament to Yoria's talent, in fact, that the general lack of typical indie rock neurosis comes off as refreshing rather that callous. Yoria is soulful, but mostly at peace with his preference for independence and fun. To wit, "Call Me" beautifully nuanced insight into the mind of the chronically unavailable male, and "P.S.A." may be the most beguiling little ditty about masturbation ever written. "Sevilla" describes a seething jealousy in the most lilting possible tones, and "At Least You've Been Told" is a cagey rock number that rails against stagnant situations. "Here To Stay" is the highlight of the entire album though—it's a patiently delivered, doggedly inspiring pop shanty. Yoria's evil twin be prone to fleeing the scene—but he's also always reminding us that at least in an archetypal sense, he's not going anywhere.
m3u audio streams (if the flash player above doesn't work for you): [hifilofi] Play all tracks as an m3u audio stream (or xspf, ogg, mp3 file)
[hifilofi] 01-I'll Be Here Awake (2:08)
[hifilofi] 02-Permanent (2:53)
[hifilofi] 03-Call Me (3:28)
[hifilofi] 04-Here to Stay (5:15)
[hifilofi] 05-Sleep is on the Way (2:41)
[hifilofi] 06-She Looks Like You (3:26)
[hifilofi] 07-P.S.A (2:32)
[hifilofi] 08-I'll Pretend (3:27)
[hifilofi] 09-Sevilla (8:50)
[hifilofi] 10-At Least You've Been Told (2:50)