American Princes
Little Spaces
Yep Roc (August 2005)
words: Rebecca Gamsby


American Princes started out in New York, then moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, to save money on rent and concentrate on making music. This is the reason that their songs sound like a blend of heavy NY indie sound and lyrics with a southern rock twist. It's easy to see why the head of Yep Roc Records, Glenn Dicker, signed the band after a listen to Little Spaces and an informal show. Yep Roc has re-issued the album nationally while American Princes are in the studio working on a follow up.

The lyrics on Little Spaces, mostly written by David Slade, are introspective and deal with themes of growing up, individuality, politics and fame. That's a lot to cover in one album and American Princes do it well. In "I Want to be Good" the lyrics hook you with their depth and emotion: "When you’re old and grey/and you throw the things/that meant a lot in cardboard boxes/stoically stained/with liquor marks/and secret names/you can see yourself disappointed for the rest of your life."

Guitarists Collin Kilgore and David Slade share singing duties while playing duel guitars to solid drumbeats. In "Eyeliner" a trumpet is added, which gives it a feeling reminiscent of a ballroom. And the lyrics poke fun at themselves and the indie kids: "Well count all the blades of grass on the lawn/multiply by a million and there's an idea of/the number of boys with black glasses and blue jackets in this town/I'm one of a million baby." The most political song on the album, "The Sun Never Sets," is a powerful song that mixes yells with distorted talking: "The cold war was over but red, white and blue had money to burn and oil to spare."

Little Spaces is a return to rock with a real message. These guys are not fooling around; they're demanding your full attention.