Whoever said there's only so many different ways to say you like something lied. Actually, I don't remember anybody ever saying that. But here we are, and I get to attempt to convey to you why I think this album is worth your time to listen to because I like it. Not only do I like it, but it has many qualities that make it different from everything else coming out right now that makes it worth your time. Their ability to combine their different influences creates modern rock 'n' roll music. The Youth is happy enough where it's not screamo, complex enough where it's not poppy, focused enough where it's not tech, dancey enough where it's not to heavy hitting, energetic enough where it's not boring, and fucking awesome enough where it's not untight.
It's very hard to pull off the twinkley guitar thing without sounding melodramatic these days. Comadre realizes this, by combining that influence with an upbeat rock 'n' roll one. They even go as far as to cover "I Think We're Alone Now," which is done surprisingly well. What really adds to this is the harmonies the two guitars seem to constantly do. It comes off sounding like they spent a lot of time writing all of the songs, but not like something overtly tech where that's all you can hear. There are still instances of hectic electric spin outs. Such is the case with "Welcome to Blood Town, Population Buried," where static blast beats and eerie slow soundscapes somehow make sense.
Initially, I had trouble getting past the vocals. They're rough. But once you get past that, you'll appreciate how they aren't just monotonous screams. There is variety. It sounds more like really loud singing than screaming. The "mob vocals" thrown in here and there with handclaps really give the album a feeling like it's coming from an ensemble.
Juan, the vocalist, is able to press some interesting lyrics with his throat, which adds another layer to The Youth. At times the metaphors remind me of At The Drive-In/Blood Brothers, but not in a just-heard-the-Blood-Brothers-now-I'm-going-to-write-like-them way. It's a good reminder, not a bad one. Take the lyrics to "City Slickers Part Six!" for example:
We were born without eyes and the sockets were just break proof safes, read these books and diaries, that's how they said we could stay clean, but, i would rather staple my own hands to a train, then pray on knees that judge band blame.
Also, it's great how they can write (what I'm assuming is) an anti-religious song without coming out saying "Fuck Jesus! Yeah!" They even got some one liners that I'm sure will make their way to away messages ("too bad that the prettiest smiles can taste so awful").
While most bands are trying to pave new ground with electronics, Comadre takes more of an organic route and realizes that rock can still be obtained without going overboard. For fans of albums that have that "complete" feel, The Youth literally starts the same way it ends, with an ambient sounding radar ping. Everything in between will surely move you in some way, physically if not mentally. For Pete's sake, even the liner notes are well done.
