Youth Group

Within the first half minute, I liked Youth Group - the only question was how much. The quartet from Australia has a gem with their sophomore release, Skeleton Jar. The first cut "Shadowland" opens the album with a sonic tidal wave of grace and power. Songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Toby Martin casts a heavy melancholy flavor over the otherwise generally upbeat musical arrangements. His delivery and sense of phrasing is at times reminiscent of the late Kurt Cobain, most notably in "Lillian Lies;" the song also features some of the darker lyrics with a tinge of optimism that typifies the band: "when everything’s gone, at least you’ve got nothing that holds on."

Indie fans will naturally flock to Youth Group for their sensible chord progressions and thoughtful lyrics, but this is a band with the potential to attract fans of all types. Christopher Walla of Death Cab for Cutie breaks things down a little more simply: "Youth Group gets it. If you don’t love them your heart is dead."

The band plays with a carefully calculated, restrained sense of urgency that occasionally gushes over into gorgeous fits of abandon. After having the chance to give the disc several spins, it’ll be one of the few albums I’m sure to mention when friends ask me if I‘ve stumbled across anything good recently. These guys are legit - outstanding album.

For more info see: youthgroup.com.au