Youth Group - CasinoTwilight Dogs

Mon 24th Jul, 2006 in Music Reviews

There were high expectations for this new release by Sydney quartet Youth Group, partly due to the worldwide and seemingly inescapable hype surrounding The OC favourite ‘Forever Young’ (Track 12) and also because of the general knowledge of, and faith in, the boys’ musical capabilities from those fans familiar with Casino Twilight Dogs’ predeccessor, Skeleton Jar, and other previous recordings.

The haunting voice of Toby Martin captures the atmosphere of each song, transporting you as the listener closer to each lyric he articulates in his rich and almost hypnotic tone. Casino Twilight Dogs takes you on a journey though those very fields Martin sings of, making daisychains in the summer and running freely through the underpass.

Instrumentally, the album flows with the rich melodies that are characteristic of Youth Group’s style, yet the boys seem to have moved to a level of more instrumental sophistication. Danny Lee Allen drums with style, his effective use of cymbals complimenting Martin’s vocals.

The CD comes with a Bonus DVD of Film Clips – ‘Baby Body’, ‘Shadowland’ and ‘Forever Young’, but only for a limited time.

If you’re one of those “They were on The OC sceptics” I suggest, with caution, that you look past the boundaries of your ‘anti-establishment’ circle, venture out into the fields with Martin and Co and experience the journey that is Casino Twilight Dogs.

Who knows…maybe it will provide you with a burst of Youth…