Skeleton Jar [Import]

Product Description
The Sophomore Album from the Quietly Adored Australian Band, who Count the Vines and the Music Among their Admirers.

Skeleton Jar,Youth Group,Ivy League,Rock

Average customer rating: really good..........you'll have it on repeat. A very good indie rock album by these Australians! Indie rock fans will probably like it a lot! - 4.5 stars Relax on the 5 stars Indeed one of the best albums of 2005 The best album of 2005 so far

Skeleton Jar Youth Group Manufacturer: Epitaph / Ada ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Casino Twilight Dogs Howl Howl Gaff Gaff Set Yourself on Fire Plans The Crane Wife ASIN: B0008FPITK Release Date: 2005-05-24

Tracks:

1. Shadowland
2. Skeleton Jar
3. Lillian Lies
4. The Frankston Line
5. Baby Body
6. See-Saw
7. Drowned
8. Last Quarter
9. Someone Else's Dream
10. Why Don't The Buildings Cry?
11. Piece Of Wood

Amazon.com

Sporting a hearty endorsement from emo-rock hero Chris Walla, the debut record from Australia's Youth Group is extremely easy to like. It's sunny and sad like all good emo, as lead singer/songwriter Toby Martin's melodies float around in a hazy kind of heartache. Sounding a bit (as you might expect) like Death Cab For Cutie, with a side of early James and a dash of Coldplay, Skeleton Jar isn't perfect; there's a sameness of structure and tempo, and you get the sense Walla shaved off one too many rough edges in the studio. Still, Martin writes with warmth and intelligence, and the band is limber enough to tackle a range of textures and emotions, dealing equally well with quick, bright choruses ("Shadowland") and more extended dramas (the lovely "See-Saw"). A promising release. - Matthew Cooke

Album Description

Youth Group are at the forefront of an exciting new era in Australian alternative music. They have the pop of The Posies, the articulate desire of The Red House Painters and Death Cab For Cutie, the rock of The Pixies, and the angst of Bright Eyes. "Skeleton Jar" is the band's second album and the first to be released in the US. Left field, yet highly emotive lyrics navigate their way across varied landscapes of pop, folk, and indie rock terrain. The beauty of this album is that every note is well-placed, every strum thought through, economic in the precision of the pop-coated anger. If the darkened cover and alienated art work don't tip you early, this is a dark album. Tightened, taut even, Toby Martin's unmistakably melancholic voice remains pure and potent throughout.

Customer Reviews:

really good..........you'll have it on repeat. .......2006-03-15

havent you heard? these guys are like, totally hot right now!!!!omg they had a song on the o.c.!!!!! just kidding.

but seriously despite the fact that they are being idolized by the irritating pseudo indie faction, these guys write some really good songs. the singer has a voice that recalls robert smith from the cure and the songs are all well constructed and cohesive. I especially like the song "shadowland" and the pixies style riff and background shouting on the song "last quarter". some of the songs seem to be about alot of the same things though. there are two songs that seem to be about women with low self-esteem riding on buses. also the singers voice is so mellow and sensitive sounding that when he swears on "why dont the buildings cry" instead of letting you feel his rage it just sounds kind of funny(another low point is that "why dont the buildings cry" is a really stupid name for a song). but overall this is a strong release from a promising new band.

A very good indie rock album by these Australians! Indie rock fans will probably like it a lot! - 4.5 stars.......2006-01-06

The Australian indie rock band Youth Group definitely made a great album with this year's "Skeleton Jar". Though it's not a classic by any means, as a whole it's consistent and even has a couple (lesser) hitworthy tracks (most notably "Shadowland" and "Someone Else's Dream"). The singer verges on being unlikable, but he pulls himself back into the realm of mass appeal. You would never guess that these guys are Australian, because the singer especially sounds American. The album is distinctly indie rock with not too much creativity instrumention-wise, but you won't care about that in the end. Though there are songs that are clearly better than others, "Skeleton Jar" thankfully has no filler. It even manages to be emotional and atmospheric on occasion (I'm not sure how to explain this well, though). Every track here is good. I didn't like it all on the first listen, but it grew on me (so be warned!). It might not be for everyone, but indie rock fans will probably like it a lot! Highly recommended!

Highlights include:
the entire album!

Relax on the 5 stars.......2005-12-06

I am mainly writing this review because all of these other people are giving it 5 stars. It's not like it's not a decent album, but by no means is it 5 stars. I enjoy listening to talented musicians, not that these guys aren't, but it is very catchy indie pop.

They are grabbing onto the coat-tails of this boom in this genre of music and all of these people have over-hyped the album. It might even be worth purchasing, but don't go into it thinking it's the best album of 2005.

Indeed one of the best albums of 2005.......2005-10-15

After hearing "Shadowland" on Punk-O-Rama 10, I've decided to buy this CD. Wow, it's one of the few albums I've loved after the first listen. One of the things I love the most about this album is that you can listen to it all the way through without getting bored, unlike most indie rock. As other reviwers said, this album isn't perfect. The first 6 songs are amazing but it settles down a bit after, until the beautiful last track, "Piece of Wood". But even the "worst" songs have their charm, mainly due to Toby Martin's plaintive but smooth vocals.

Shadowland: 9.5/10. A great opener, probably the second best song on the album. The instruments all blend in together perfectly and put you in the beautiful, melacholic mood of the album.

Skeleton Jar: 8/10. At first, I didn't really like this song. But it has grown on me and now I love it. The song is a nice crescendo and it gets really interesting at 2:15.

Lillian Lies: 8.5/10. Catchy chorus, great lyrics. Overall really good.

The Frankston Line: 9/10. One of the best songs on the album. Nice bass line, great bridge.

Baby Body: 10/10. Beautiful guitar in the first part, you think it's gonna be another nice and smooth song but the chorus kicks in, and you're now listening to the most rockin' and best song on the album. It reminds me of Coldplay for some reason.

See-Saw: 9.5/10. The longest song on the album but you don't even realize it. Again, great lyrics and hooks everywhere. The chorus leads into a beautiful instrumental part that lasts from 3:50 till the end of the song. The song's almost 7 minutes long but by the end you're asking for more.

Drowned: 8/10. One of the weakest songs on the album but still great.

Last Quarter: 7/10. Probably the worst song on the album, kinda repetitive but nice vocals so it's still an enjoyable listen.

Someone Else's Dreams: 7.5/10. Another more rockin' song. Nice guitars.

Why Don't the Buildings Cry?: 7/10. A little repetitive and boring but again, listenable.

Piece of Wood: 9.5. Amazing lyrics, absolutely beautiful guitars. Toby Martin's voice give me shivers in that song. It will make you want to listen to the whole album over again.

Overall, I give it a 9/10. Maybe not THE best album of 05 but definitely the best indie pop album of the year.

The best album of 2005 so far.......2005-06-25

I'm so glad other people are picking up on this wonderful 2nd album by Youth Group - it has been documented that the band have had plenty of internal problems and changes the good news is that this does not in anyway detract or impede their music.

Perhaps this album will sit better with Americans than Brits - simply because our market is filled with vapid 'tunes' like Crazy Frog and you Americans still have some taste in music. Youth Group takes me back to a time in the early-to-mid 1990's where there was some wonderful music made both sides of the Atlantic.

It has also been suggested that Youth Group sound like the wonderful late and lamented British band James mainly due to the singer Toby Martin's vocals and melancholic lyrics - although there are a couple of songs here that would fit on a James album - perhaps Skeleton Jar and Someone Else's Dream would?

I can also hear The Charlatans in there on 'The Franksten Line' and See-Saw both fairly epic sounding songs especially the latter. Fans of Coldplay and Death Cabs for Cutie should check this album out - but any fans of folk/indie/rock would like this.

Other reviews criticse the generalistic sound this album has - although I would argue that this means the album has a more 'complete' feel. I think the magic wears off slightly after See-Saw but it is marginal.

My favourite songs are Shadowlands - the best one word chorus sing James 'Crash' or 'Come Home' with some chimy guitars slightly reminiscent of U2 - the music is more sparse however and the arrangement is lovely and less dense than some of U2's latest works. I also have to say that 'Lilian lies' has a quality of that missed New Zealand band Crowded House - so it isnt hard to see how many people would like this record.

It flirts from folk to indie to rock almost seamlessly without ever being too hard or abrasive or too soft - the pitch is about right. i think Toby Martin is probably the best vocalist I've heard since Tim Booth of James dealing with high and low notes equally well. Perhaps they lack the soaring quality of James songs and a little less commercial than say She's A Star or Laid.

My advice is go and buy this brilliant record and spread the word and let's hope they can sort out any line-up problems they are currently experiencing.

Average customer rating:

Skeleton Jar Youth Group Manufacturer: Ivy League ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B0002062VE Release Date: 2004-03-22

Tracks:

1. Shadowland
2. Last Quarter
3. Lillian Lies
4. Why Don't The Buildings Cry?
5. Baby Body
6. Drowned
7. Piece Of Wood
8. Rosie & The Sea
9. Frankston Line
10. Skeleton Jar
11. See-Saw

Album Details

The Sophomore Album from the Quietly Adored Australian Band, who Count the Vines and the Music Among their Admirers.

Average customer rating:

Skeleton Jar Youth Group Manufacturer: Ivy League ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000A3X716 Release Date: 2005-08-15

Tracks:

1. Shadowland
2. Skeleton Jar
3. Lillian Lies
4. Frankston Line
5. Baby Body
6. See-Saw
7. Drowned
8. Last Quarter
9. Someone Else's Dream
10. Why Don't the Buildings Cry?
11. Piece of Wood

Album Details

One of Australia's Most Quietly Adored Bands Stand Ready to Roar. 'skeleton Jar' is the Youth Group's Second Album and the Talents of Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Toby Martin Shine Through on this Album Like a Beacon. Highly Emotive Lyrics Navigate their Way Across Varied Landscapes of Pop, Folk, and Rock Terrain with his Uniquely Pure Voice. From the Haunting Singles 'skeleton Jar' and 'shadowland' to Live Favourites 'see-saw' and 'piece of Wood', Youth Group Present an Eclectic Feast with a Darker and Less Poppier Approach. This Australian Version Comes with Different Artwork Than the Us Version.

Rock Music:

1. Sonic Investigations of the Trivial [Import]
2. Southpaw Grammer [Import]
3. Suck [Import]
4. Taking Off [Import]
5. The Innes Book of Records [Import]
6. The Main Event: East Meets West
7. Theme from Sparta F.C. [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]
8. Together We're Heavy [Import]
9. Two's on 2 [Import]
10. Venetian Blinds [CD-single] [Import]

Rock Music