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Youth Group
The music from charming Australian band Youth Group recalls that of a hazy and warm summer day: condensation forming on glasses of ice cold lemonade, blowing bubbles in the shade, the sun in your eyes, and awkward, grand gestures of adolesence. Youth Group's second album, Skeleton Jar, is their first one released in the United States, and I'm a bit puzzled as to why all of the so-called "indie yuppies" aren't all over the quartet. Their lazy and sweet indie pop with a dash of folk has garnered acclaim from key figures in indie rock, the most prominent being Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie, saying "Youth Group gets it. If you don't love them your heart is dead." (My heart may not be dead, but is yours?)
It's hard to argue with him, as the young band has successfully melded easygoing guitars, a bit of dramatic tension, midtempo power ballads, and the satisfying jangle of lilting melodies, lending comparisons to James (remember "Laid"?) and the aforementioned Bellingham, Washington boys. The swelling guitars and catchy chorus of the lovely "See-Saw" get stuck in my head for days at a time and I heartily raise myfists into the air for the tasty crunch of Nada Surf-esque power-pop number "Last Quarter."
And though Youth Group occupies the same sonic space as the Coldplay, their work carries more of a bite and the songs carry a dark spirit just below the surface. And I can just see "Shadowland" being something that Seth Cohen of hit TV show "The OC" would rock out to in his Mom's Range Rover. Meanwhile, lead singer Toby Martin's soothing vocals sway and ramble, and in another world, he'd be a sought-after Top 40 idol because you can bet that any girl in a 5 meter radius will swoon for that winsome accent.
Youth Group - See-Saw
Youth Group - Shadowland
Youth Group - Time Freezes
Youth Group - Someone Else's Dream
Youth Group's official site. Buy their album, Skeleton Jar from Amazon or iTunes Music Store.
Shadows tags: youthgroup.
Posted by Queen of the Front Row at 01.19.06 at 12:15 AM
Comments
I was supposed to interview Youth Group for a SXSW Guide being put together by Skratch Magazine but was informed that they won't be playing this year. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that they are scheduled to play at the Parish on 3/11 with Matt Pond (PA)?
Posted by: chip at 01.22.06 at 2:22 PM
Interesting...maybe because of that show, they aren't doing an official showcase, but Youth Group may play some day parties?
Posted by: Queen of the Front Row at 01.22.06 at 7:22 PM
http://www.youthgroup.com.au/
Posted by: zann at 01.23.06 at 1:35 AM
Strange! I just looked on the official site and they're still listed. Huh.
Posted by: Queen of the Front Row at 01.23.06 at 4:22 PM
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