Customer Reviews

Casino Twilight Dogs

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've just picked this fantastic album up and it's blown me away. Why these guys aren't bigger has totally dumbfounded me, either that or people simply can't hear good music when its right in front of them.

I've only been a fan of Youth Group for two years, but have totally fell in love with them. This is probably because of the resemblence to my favourite band James in terms of Toby Martin's vocals and word intonation plus some of the music. Other similarities I would say are with Crowded House, Ash and The Charlatans.

This album slightly differs from the previous in that it seems slightly more restrained with more concentration on musical depth, this gives the album a more consistent even feel. I particularly like Sorry (very very Jamesian here) with its Larry Gott-esque guitar sound (check out early James material for this), Catching and Killing, Under The Underpass and the wonderful (i)piece de resitance(i) Start Today Tomorrow. Again like James they handle songs at low-tempi extraordinarily well and are extremely beautiful in composition and sound. Also included is their cover of Forever Young that appeared on the O.C (apparantly popular over here in the UK)

I'd go as far as saying they are one of the best bands that have come out of this decade and deserve to be massive. I hope they can come over and play live in the UK soon. I urge anyone reading this to give them a try and you will soon fall in love with this brilliant band.

I don't usually buy into soundtracks from tv, so YouthGroups cover of 'Forever Young' made no impression on me. I simply HATE covers of 80's..(see 311's cover of Love Song) But upon first listen of Casino Twilight Dogs, I didn't think it was as great as Skeleton Jar. However, after some play, you can't resist Toby Martin's vocals which are as soothing as they ever have been. On a string, TJ and Chrismas windows are notable. This CD pleases YouthGroup's fans, just don't expect to hear it on the next "Now thats what I call music" cd for all you Mischa Barton fans :)

This release by Youth Group sees a more diverse use of instruments and production styles than their last release,Skeleton Jar, but the lyrics aren't as powerful or evocative. The CD lacks the strength of tracks like "Shadow Land" and "Lillian Lies" because less attention is paid to rythmn and melody. The charming, stripped-down simplicity is sacrificed for a bigger sound, and a more generalized approach. Although Skeleton Jar was no major feat of innovation, but worked beautifully within it's boundaries, this album feels like a step backwards; in the direction of a snow patrol sound-alike.

It does, however, earn its 3 stars with bright spots like "Under the Underpass", "Daisy Chains", and "Sicily". The cover of "Forever Young" is pretty good as well. They all lack the striking, simple grandeur of previous releases and leave the listener desperate to revist older, more inspiring tracks. Hopefully the next album won't be quite as laden with mediocrity, and hopefully it will be a return to the compelling depth this band is capable of.

Into indie music? Casino Twilight Dogs upends recent releases by The Shins and Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, to release one of the best records in 07' so far. While they don't exactly reinvent the indie rock music scene, CTD is easily one of the most listenable titles thus far. Well "Forever Young" is the cover song on the OC that burned up Itunes (and led me right to this CD), "On a String", "Sorry" , and "Under the Underpass" are just as catchy, meaningful, and distinctly indie to keep you coming back for more. Well a few throwaway tracks are found, The Youth Group is on track to blow up ala Death Cab For Cutie and The Arcade Fire with this beautifully haunting album. Don't sleep on it. If you are still up in the air on buying it, download their version of "Forever Young". It is easily the best yet, the perfect song that sounds modern and vintage at the same time.

UPON RECIEVING THE NEW ALBUM, THE EXCITEMENT, THE ANTICIPATION MADE ME RIP THE PLASTIC OFF AND PLAY THE CD IMMEDIATELY. ONLY TO BE A BIT DISSAPOINTED. IT LACKS THE EXCITEMENT, THE HOOKS THAT MADE SKELOTON JAR SO DAMN GOOD. DON'T GET ME WRONG, THE SONGWRITING IS GOOD, MUSICIANSHIP IS GREAT BUT IT'S SO'OOOOOOOOOO SLOW. FIRST HALF OF THE RECORD WAS GREAT BUT THE SECOND HALF SLOWS DOWN WAY TOO MUCH(SONGS LIKE "DAISY CHAIN", "SORRY", "TJ"... DRAG A BIT. TO TOP IT OFF WHY WOULD THEY INCLUDE "FOREVER YOUNG" THE SONG HAS BEEN OUT FOR A LONG TIME. NOT A GOOD CLOSING SONG AND TO BE HONEST THERE IS NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THAT SONG. MAYBE IN THE 4TH ALBULM THEY'LL RETURN WITH SKELETON JAR PART 2. PLEASE!!!!

This is not Youth Group's "debut" album as suggested by the previous review. Their previous releases, Skeleton Jar and Urban and Eastern are well worth checking out.

Forever young was a remake of Alphavilles 1984 tune and didnt take long to make an imprint on your mind. With a more melancholic vocal it is a relatively faithful version. It was however a slight aberation, though catchier than head lice in a kindergarten, it was requested of the band through acquaintances for inclusion in the tv show The OC. So dont expect this Sydney indie quartet to produce more 1980's covers. Similiar in feel, though far better, String and Dead Zoo are surpassed only by the sensational Start Today Tomorrow. With influences from Dylan to Tom Petty to The Pet Shop Boys this is jangly guitar based pop. Under The Underpass and Catching & Killing both rock out hard to create balance. This CD will long be remembered above all else for its outstanding songwriting maturity.