Tracklisting:
1. deadfriends
2. If you need it
3. Firebreather
4. Skin & bones
5. Lost between the coasts
6. After-image
7. Struggle with me
8. Silver graves
9. Heard it in a song
10. Letter to a former lover

Twelve Years, the debut album of Long Island band, Daytrader, is a refreshing combination of some of the best qualities of music. There is a nice balance between the nostalgic sound of college garage bands and the jaw dropping sound of arena-rocking all-star bands. And, is that a touch of Nirvana I hear? And, yes, I mean the Kurt Cobain band, not the Buddhist ideal goal.

The lead singer, Tym, takes some major risks and reaches for notes that should be out of his range but pulls it off with grungy beauty. The perfectly blended variety of subtly graceful and yet bold and smoky sounds gives this album a versatility that many lack. You could comfortably play this at a house party, or while you are just relaxing alone, or to get pumped up for the big game and it would not seem out of place.

My favorite songs from this album would definitely be “deadfriends,” “Firebreather,” and “Letter to a former lover.” “deadfriends” is the most Nirvana-esque track on the album. I swear Kurt Cobain possessed Tym for all three and a half minutes of the song, which is great because we could all use a return of Kurt. “Firebreather” gives me chills every time I listen to it. It has one of the best lines of any song “how can you breathe when your body is working against you?” That one line, and this whole song for that matter, encompasses the current human experience. This is definitely a song you will want to play on your way home from work while you are blowing off steam. “Letter to a former lover” just has this sound that captures your heart.

Overall, I think it is safe to say that Daytrader understands the plight of the twenty somethings better than most. Between that comprehension of a common experience and the consistency and versatility of this album, Twelve Years is a must have.