Australian-bred power-pop/indie-rock band Youth Group has returned with their second U.S. release, and third overall, with Casino Twilight Dogs and damn is it good. The dark and haunting lyrics matched with shimmering guitar chords and vocalist Toby Martin's smooth, pop-perfect delivery made 2004's Skeleton Jar a strange disc to behold as it didn't seem like it should have been so somber but certainly came out that way. It held promise for something even more impressive from Youth Group and that promise has been delivered with this record.
While still retaining the often squeaky-clean guitars and cascading melodies, Youth Group have virtually improved everything about their sound. The improvements are not drastic but become evident as the record sinks in listen after listen. String instruments enhance what were already immaculately penned pop songs, and Martin's lyrics are as vivid as ever. However, Casino Twilight Dogs does not exude the sense of darkness that drenched Skeleton Jar from head to toe, but that is not a strike against it in any way as it gives the record its own personality.
Standout tracks such as "Catching & Killing" and "Under the Underpass" show Youth Group's evolving sound with experimental melodies and background instruments beefing up the sound while songs like "Sicily", with its appropriately Italian flavor, add even more variety.
Casino Twilight Dogs has many of the same elements that made Skeleton Jar so damned special and still manages to sound fresh and perhaps top that wonderful record. Casino Twilight Dogs is overflowing with memorable pop rock gems and deserves every bit of attention it can get. The verdict is simple: if you enjoyed Skeleton Jar, you need to pick up this record.
