Reviews

Youth Group

Casino Twilight Dogs

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Review Date: 2007-03-24

Youth Group have eyes for being a big deal, and it seemed that was where they were going. Their previous release Skeleton Jar was beloved in the indie blogging world and resulted in them picking up many new fans -- and a new label -- in the process. Anti -- which brings us such diverse artists as Tom Waits, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra and the Weakerthans, just to name a few -- is now the home of one of Australia’s finest imports, Youth Group.

Casino Twilight Dogs represents a paradigm shift for Youth Group. When Skeleton Jar surprised and had the success it did, that was all gravy, but now that type of success and then some is expected from Casino Twilight Dogs. Countless bands have wilted under this sophomore pressure, and it’s hard to blame them. In an industry that’s often what have you done for me lately, one release might be all you get with a label to leave an impression or get shown the door.

What this enthusiastic foursome have going for them is the momentum spawned from a No. 1 Australian single with an Alphaville cover of “Forever Young” that also became a hit here, thanks to its inclusion on the O.C. Oh, and just in case that wasn’t enough, the juggernaut single was mixed by Chris Walla (Death Cab) -- as it appears, the plan was to bury the malleable indie hipsters with benefits.

Mind you, all of their efforts would have went for naught if the cover stunk -- which it doesn’t. Actually, it’s one of bright lights on an album that at times is rather dim. Youth Group has taken this song and, without straying too far from the original, made it their own by going with an infectious, relaxed-yet-triumphant delivery that leaves you no other option by the time the chorus hits the second time to sing along -- no matter how awful your voice is, or how much you might dislike the original. The lyrics are timeless, which makes it a great choice for a cover. There will never be a time when wanting to stay young isn’t a theme that most people my age deal with.

But here is where it starts go sour for me: you read about Youth Group and it becomes evident that both the label they come from and the band themselves feel that what they are doing is pushing boundaries, and that their sound is unique. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I am just not seeing it. I listen to this and I hear part Coldplay, part older Travis, a hint of Shins – hell, even Death Cab For Cutie. So unless I missed the memo where combining a bunch of things that made bands who have been around longer than you successful, and blending it with meticulously-planned production, is now considered pushing boundaries, then I am confused.

Still, I can’t help but feel that the extent that Casino Twilight Dogs is being crucified by indie critics takes it all too far. How can you, in good conscience, write a failing review of Youth Group and then a few weeks later give fill in the blank band (who sound just like Youth Group) an average score. For all of its faults, Casino Twilight Dogs does manage to produce some memorable moments, and for that it should receive at least some praise.

One of those is “Start Today Tomorrow”, which follows “Forever Young” in a tasty portion of the album that leaves me wishing the remainder sounded this great. Mainly what sets this song apart is that Youth Group and the production are just taking it easy. Tobi’s voice isn’t pushed to its limits trying to stand out over the cluttered production theatrics, and under these conditions the band truly flourishes. The song builds up and gets more triumphant as it goes, using violins to build the drama, and it works. Most of the production decisions on Casino Twilight Dogs annoy me, but for these three songs it works. The third of those songs is “Daisy Chains”. If Youth Group had of released these three songs as an EP, I would have been striking the days off the calendar waiting for the release.

Remember the Phantom Menace? I despise Stars Wars so I’m not sure why I went to see it in the first place. But as much as I hated it I didn’t regret it because of how awesome the pod racing scenes were. I feel almost the same way about Casino Twilight Dogs. In this crazy mixed-up iPod world that we live in, three songs you know you’ll listen to many times throughout the year isn’t such a bad find. When they go at it again, they might want to keep these three in mind and work from there.

My final thought is simple: would it have killed them to just leave a hint of dirt in the production of any of these songs? Pristine production gets on my nerves after a while, when it’s so blatant. Indie cred is fickle and can disappear in a flash, but that doesn’t have to be the end of it for Youth Group. Just look at Nada Surf for an example of a band that persevered and eventually came out ahead. I’m not giving up on you Youth Group; I’m just disappointed.

Score: 6

- Dan