Youth Group - High Dive (Seattle, WA; May 14, 2009)

Youth Group has always seemed to have a love/hate relationships with their US critics. Though both Skeleton Jar (2005) and Casino Twilight Dogs (2006) earned the group props for their upbeat melodic rock, they received their share of disdain for being just another Death Cab or Nada Surf wannabe. Maybe that’s why the Aussie quartet spends little time over in the States, having stayed away for almost two years, last in Seattle at the notorious Crocodile Cafe.

Not knowing any of this background, I walked into the High Dive on Thursday night. I had just recently picked up their latest album, The Night is Ours. A yearning indie rock compilation, it was a sleepy album that didn’t grab me right away but has slowly pulled me in. The Night is Ours doesn’t remind me so much of Death Cab but more like something the Editors or the Shins would put out, but with a slight hint of country.

Unfortunately, the small crowd at the High Dive had to wait through Wallpaper, a band from Auburn, WA, who took over the stage for 45 minutes with their annoying stage banter. Their psychedelic rock songs weren’t so bad actually, but the verbal diarrhea of the lead singer made it impossible to take them seriously. So I didn’t.

I was pretty relieved when Youth Group got on stage and started playing a polished set. Throughout the evening, I was impressed with their big sound and the clear vocal quality of lead singer Toby Martin, who in looks and beauty of voice somewhat resembles Art Garfunkel. Their set consisted mainly of songs from their latest album and though the crowd was small, they were attentive and stayed through the entirety of the performance. Youth Group segued beautifully between their more upbeat numbers such as “Two Sides” and “All This Will Pass” to the more melodic ballads such as “Good Time.” I thought often of how Youth Group deserved to play in a bigger venue than the High Dive, which is a considerable step down from their show at the Crocodile a few years earlier.

I do understand, however, why people would tend to overlook Youth Group. Their sound is considered sleepy and their performance sort of matches the sound they give out. The band members’ feet, for the most part, were firmly planted to the ground and sometimes—excluding Martin and drummer Danny Lee Allen—the band seemed dull to watch. Bassist Patrick Matthews—who once played with The Vines—didn’t seem so into it. I understand their sound doesn’t provoke jumping around or slamming guitars on the ground or anything like that, but a little intensity would be nice. This lack of energy could be attribute to the fact that the band has been together since the late 90s or have been stuck in a van listening to NPR for seven weeks (according to Martin). Or maybe that’s just how they are.

Despite the critics, the small venue, the small crowd, and the draining toll that touring takes, I really hope to get a chance to see them again in Seattle.

DOWNLOAD: Youth Group - All This Will Pass (MP3) or Follow us for more Youth Group MP3s (Twitter)

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