Youth Group: More than Average Indie Act

The Youth Group were implicitly known to Australia when the American teen television drama, "The O.C." selected it and started playing the band's cover of "Forever Young" by Alphaville constantly for the entire season. It is a real embarrassment if you throw them into the emo dumpster or if you grasp this against them because this group got more things working for them than the other bands within the O.C. soundtrack.

At last, the indie rockers are getting much-deserved recognition after years of opportunity acts to visiting artists like Elliot Smith, Death Cab For Cutie, and Coldplay. Since they are being featured, The O.C. won an ARIA award for Breakthrough Single for the cover song in 2006, and definitely raised their band profile.

It's difficult to point out what makes the Youth Group stand out. Is it Toby Martin the songwriter / lead singer's melancholic, endearing vocals? Is it the wonderful music that sounds both sad and sunny at the same time? Whatever the real reason for it, the band offers fine emo.

The Youth Group's most distinguished works are their second and third albums, respectively. You could depict comparisons and notice the band's development, thus, it is suggested to listen to both. The second album Skeleton Jar from their Ivy League Records of 2004 was halfhearted, and the sales were also average. The band had until now to sharpen their beats and there is barely any disparity in tempo and structure. The song "Shadowland" however, is clearly the piece that saves their second album and you get the sense that they are at last stepping in the right course on how their music be.

Youth Group's album number two proved a huge channel to Casino Twilight Dogs (Anti Records, 2007), the band's more refined venture and most commercially successful. The music from this album sounded more accurate, harmonizing delicate elements from Martin's lyrics and vocals with soft rhythms accompanied by lively guitar play. This album triumphs with a set of songs that would touch you to hit the repeat button. There is the "Daisychains" that makes you feel like to weep without even knowing why. The amazingly deceptive "Sorry", an appetizing treat of irony enclosed with pop. The "Start Today Tomorrow", which completely describes the wonders of idleness. And, even the more serious "The Destruction of Laurel Canyon" that shares about the 2005 California landslides, is emotionally stunning.

The Youth Group's third album shimmers and shines with all the notes properly fixed to its right place. It is considered a great album to search out the band more. It is great to spare a time to listen to their music.

To those who are fans of the slighter known 80's British band, the Youth Group will be your friend in the music world.