Hey You Millionaires - Make Your Mind Up

Hey You Millionaires

Make Your Mind Up
self-released; 2014

3.7 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Make Your Mind Up is the first full-length album by Hey You Millionaires. It’s a relatively straight guitar album that dearies most of its influence from late ‘90s and early 2000s bands not unlike Built To Spill, Modest Mouse, and Sebadoh. This is an album that is an unusual “grower.” On the first spin the music feels familiar and almost predictable if you are a music fan who has listened to a heavy dose of “indie rock” for the last two decades. It took me a couple of listens to enjoy the depth and originality that lied beneath. The album from a production standpoint sounds pretty good. There is a definite ‘90s lo-fi indie rock vibe going on that only adds to the emotional impact of the music. 

The album kicks off with a highlight entitled “Your Terms.” I have to say that the vocals really stood out on the song. It seems as if the whole band is singing and it sounded unique, original and added depth. The intensity increases on their second song “What You Always Knew.” They switch it up vocally picking their parts strategically adding dynamics and variation to the mix.

The band pounds out two more solid songs “Undecided” and “Soft Ground” before arriving at the exceptional “Leave It As It Goes.” I hope the band realizes just how good this song is and I hope they attempt to make a couple more in a similar style in the future. The song revolves around an acoustic guitar and vocals. It’s simple but the vocals breathe and you can clearly hear how good their voices sound in unison. It was the most emotionally impactful song and in a good way reminded me of Simon and Garfunkel. Towards the end of the song they replace the acoustic guitar with drums, bass and distorted guitars, which in my humble opinion wasn't even necessary.

Another highlight was “Fictitious Example” was had an inventive bass line along with a memorable vocal melody. It could arguably be the “single” to the album.

Make Your Mind Up is a well-done album with a number of good songs but I can’t help but think the band is still warming up. The band is talented and the vocals are the strongest component of the music. The “indie rock” stuff is good but I hope they explore the spaciousness they achieve on  “Leave It As It Goes” more.

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