Best known for their cover of Alphaville’s ballad “Forever Young”, which was a minor indie hit due to its inclusion on a soundtrack to a teen soap opera that shall remain unmentioned, Youth Group is an Australian 4-piece that definitely deserves more credit in this country than “that band that they played on The OC.” Oops, I mentioned it. Anyway. They have a very melodic sound that channels the old Madchester bands - sometimes the singer Toby Martin sounds so much like Tim Booth from James that it makes me question my vast knowledge of the latter band’s catalogue.
This post, however, is not about James. Rather, it is about The Night Is Ours, the moody new release that Youth Group recorded in a 1920s mess hall on the harbour in Sydney. I’ll be honest with you - this album doesn’t sound like anything that special at first…just kinda melodic with nice use of synths and lovely vocals, but nothing that would instantly capture your attention. If you have the patience though, it definitely rewards with repeated listens.
Some standouts: “Good Time”, the record’s first track, is fragile and haunting and carried by strings and Martin’s effortless vocal work. Featuring the lyrics “I had myself a good time / and now I don’t feel like myself,” it sets the tone for what tends to be a bittersweet album both musically and lyrically. The song flows directly into “One For Another”, probably my favourite tune on the album. It’s catchy and fast and driven by rhythm guitar, with triumphant horns adding a different vibe toward the end.
Since I don’t live in Australia, I have no clue what the single from The Night Is Ours will be, but I’m willing to bet it is the New Order-esque “Two Sides”, which is all about bass and frankly makes me want to dance. Not like many dance clubs in Chicago would ever play good music from a lesser-known band like this, but I digress. And the album’s closing song ” What Is A Life?” adds weight to the overall melancholy quality of the album as a whole. Every time this song ends lately, I get struck by a small feeling of nostalgia that forces me to go back to the beginning of the record and start it over.
Anyway. This isn’t the record that will convert those that still think these guys are ‘that OC band’, but if you are smart enough to base your music choices on awesome reviews like this one and not second-rate television show soundtracks, it may be the record that will make you a Youth Group fan.
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