When Kentucky-based band In Endeavors snags a spread in Rolling Stone,it would only be polite to thank The Strokes for their career. If the roughed-up, garage band-esque group didn't burst out on the scene in the early 2000s with their hit album, Is This It, copycat bands such as In Endeavors might be overlooked.In Endeavors February, 2009 release, You've Got Your Friends, I've Got Mine is compiled with the same rough-yet-catchy of bands such as the aforementioned Strokes and similar bands like Hot Hot Heat and The White Stripes.Check out "The Move," which comes ready made with prominent guitar riffs, gritty vocals and a repetitive yet catchy chorus.For guaranteed toe-tapping, turn on "Private Eye," which is composed carefully and perfectly with music and melody to make a damn good rock song.You've Got Your Friends, I've Got Mine proves that when done right, imitation is necessary for an enjoyable listen. - Revue Magazine_______________________________________________________________“You’ve Got Your Friends…” is one of those albums that deal with the crazy ups and downs of relationships. Nothing more, nothing less. And, since it comes out in the month of February when boxes of chocolate and roses abound, this album is pivotal for release. The group hailing from Kentucky, prefers to keep things upbeat for most songs, and garners a few comparisons to groups such as the White Stripes and the Strokes. On the title track, a hypnotic ‘60s staggering drumbeat takes over as sentiments of adoration take hold. “Private Eye” exhibits courting and attraction in its highest form with energetic prowess. One interesting trait woven throughout these tracks is the fact that at times, Reach’s voice wavers and sings unintelligibly (check out “Day One”), and at other times, he sounds straight-laced and melodic.
Your best bet for a cohesive track is the charming “I Can’t Run,”where Reach miraculously sings in key and along with the track,achieving an efficient tale of wanting to keep on with a relationship,but finding it hard to keep up with the pace. “You’re running in circles, oh yeah / I’m trying to catch up to you, but you’re running too fast for me, girl / I can’t run, I can’t run,” he sings.
Short and sweet, the album succeeds in showcasing relatable situations concerning the almighty relationship, and for that, it deserves a chance in your stereo.
- Frazia Lee MetroSpirit.com_______________________________________________________________“You’ve Got Your Friends…” is one of those albums that deal with the crazy ups and downs of relationships. Nothing more, nothing less. And,since it comes out in the month of February when boxes of chocolate and roses abound, this album is pivotal for release. The group hailing from Kentucky, prefers to keep things upbeat for most songs, and garners a few comparisons to groups such as the White Stripes and the Strokes. On the title track, a hypnotic ‘60s staggering drumbeat takes over as sentiments of adoration take hold. “Private Eye” exhibits courting and attraction in its highest form with energetic prowess. One interesting trait woven throughout these tracks is the fact that at times, Reach’s voice wavers and sings unintelligibly (check out “Day One”), and at other times, he sounds straight-laced and melodic.
Your best bet for a cohesive track is the charming “I Can’t Run,”where Reach miraculously sings in key and along with the track,achieving an efficient tale of wanting to keep on with a relationship,but finding it hard to keep up with the pace. “You’re running in circles, oh yeah / I’m trying to catch up to you, but you’re running too fast for me, girl / I can’t run, I can’t run,” he sings.
Short and sweet, the album succeeds in showcasing relatable situations concerning the almighty relationship, and for that, it deserves a chance in your stereo.
- I Guess I'm Floating (blog)
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There is always plenty of room for bands that can pull off this sound and proudly rub shoulders with the likes of The Walkmen, Kings Of Leon and The Strokes as long as they can back it up with quality songs.Lexington, KY's In Endeavors do just that on their rocking 5 track debut EP, You've Got Your Friends, I've Got Mine,set to hit February 4. It is a fresh and spirited effort that does what every solid EP is supposed to - build the hype for a full length!
- Reece Michael
Fire Drills (blog)
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Power pop inspiration runs deep within the music In Endeavors stirs up on You’ve Got Your Friends. The crackling drums-and-guitar hooks immediately recall The Strokes while the melodies of tunes like The Move and I Can’t Run reveal a decidedly ‘80s feel - like synth-pop without the synths. Thereis also a nice Joe Jackson-like sneer to Gerren Reach’s vocals on Private Eye that is complimented by bruisier pop harmonies that send In Endeavors back to the ‘60s (Dave Clark Five, anyone?).
The only downside to You’ve Got Your Friends is that the whole feverish affair is over and done with in under 18 minutes. More, please.
- Walter Tunis
Musical Box (blog) / The Herald Leader
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In Endeavors is none other than 5 strapping, young, future superstars from our own metropolis of Lexington, KY. Master songsmith and lead guitarist Clifton Keller never fails to impress with his hook-laden, dance rockers. The band is hot to trot as they perform in support of their You've Got Your Friends, I've Got Mine EP, featuring a bevy of tunes that channel The Strokes at their most inspired. If you want to remember what it's like to be moved to dance to rock music then don't miss In Endeavors.
- Everything Is (blog)
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As a band from the Midwest (Lexington, Kentucky) In Endeavors couldn’t sound further from it. Their sound is more akin to the dirty streets bands like The Strokes or The Dead 60’s roam. In Endeavors, a band name that’s hard to digest, perform music listeners of The Killers and The Strokes are familiar with. They rework the frenetic andpop-soul aesthetics of the former while layering tracks with guitar licks in the vein of the former. There’s a rough hewn feel to their EP You’ve Got Your Friends I’ve Got Mine that makes all the energy and catchiness resonate.
All comparisons aside, the band has a lotgoing for it, a catchy sound both raw and melodic, a powerhouse vocalist comfortable with his range and singing style and a band that can sling something accessible, energetic and, thankfully, fresh.You’ve Got Your Friends I’ve Got Mine sounds like early eighties rock bands from the UK - think Big Country or early U2 with a heftier,albeit pop, feel. Singer Gerren Reach sings all over the place. He’s ferocious, crooning or pouty without ceasing to be a male, not trying to sound forcefully appealing or overtly obvious. On ‘The Move’ he sings coyly, “This closet space not meant for two/Let’s lose our clothes and make some room.” He tempers ‘Private Eye’ with a nasal snarl against siren-like guitar playing. It’s a stand out song in the midst of strong material to begin with, deftly working back-and-forth rhythms with crooning and fraught vocals. ‘Day One’ is relentless,soaring nicely on Del Renfroe’s explosive drumming.
These are songs that beg to be played live, not content for the cage of a CD player. In Endeavors has done what so many pop rock bands fail to do,they sound far beyond what the genre expects of them.
- Brian Tucker
Bootleg Magazine
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"Initially, I was a bit skeptical of "In Endeavors", I really had no idea what to expect. That doubt disappeared, however, as soon as lead guitarist Clif Meyers began to start playing. The incredible guitar and drum work stood out immediately. Their song repertoire had me moving the entire time and they had the best set by far, even with a broken bass string in the middle (when does that ever happen?!). Their indie-rock vibe definitely had a young-strokes vibe and did I mention how solid the drum work was?Definite winner of the night for me and I hope to hear more from this band in the future.
-Toonage.ca
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IN ENDEAVORS hail from Lexington, Kentucky, but you might as well have picked them up inside a bar in the Bowery section of New York City, bullying the jukebox with songs by THE WALKMEN, SPOON, and unavoidably,THE STROKES. The band's sound may be utterly familiar and possibly even a white-wash of genre-defined background music at your favorite denim store, but the songs themselves are downright solid and the musicianship isn't lacking. Busy percussion and jumpy guitars are the hallmarks of You've Got Friends, I've Got Mine, stretching hooks far and wide, and keeping a steady buzz going along with the beat. The achy, crooned vocals of lead singer Gerren Reach are positively lucid, but awkwardly similar to those of THE WALKMEN's------ , which hits a creepy peak on "Day One." The five song EP's standout track is "Private Eye," a song that melds multiple layers of vocals, and a convincing chorus out of the words in the title. It's also the swiftest song on here, and is probably a real blast live. The final track, "I Can't Run" sends Friends off on a high note with a burgeoning, mid-paced drum roll set above strained, elevating guitars, and contrasting, relaxed, vocal disposition. We're probably saturated out with bands clawing for position in this area of indie rock, but the nuance in the songwriting, and the fact that there's no tone clunker in this EP makes it a keeper.
- PastePunk.com Coming off like the Strokes’ no-nonsense southern cousins, Lexington, Kentucky’s In Endeavors pretty much do nothing but rock out on their pointedly titled five-song EP. Fortunately though, singer Gerren Reach doesn’t drench his vocals in quite as much sonic gook as Julian Casablancas, allowing his own textures to take center stage. What’s more, when bassist Patrick Meyers’ and guitarist Cliff Meyers’ backing vocals respond to Reach’s calls on “Private Eye,” the result is a small dose of good-time rock n’ roll to diffuse some of the smug swagger native to the territory of coolness. But they turn in their most satisfying combination of the EP’s closer, “I Can’t Run” – rough backing harmonies combine with between-the-beat drumming and shaking tambourine in the chorus for a dynamic, single-worthy entry into the band’s discography. Pretty it up a bit in the studio for radio, and it could be a hit.
- Eat Sleep Drink Music (blog)