Young The Giant: [Self Titled] Review

By the time 2010 rolled around, Switchfoot had released a whopping 7 albums over the course of just 13 years. The Strokes had been together since '98, Killers '01, Even Only By the Night from Kings of Leon was 2 years old. And who can forget OKGO storming onto the scene? Rock may have been very different from what your dad liked, but there's no denying that rock in the aughts was extremely ready to be noisy, dirty, and improper. Rock wanted to rock. Being this late to the party might have been risky, but Young The Giant knew what they wanted to be: a quintessential arena rock band.

For a long time, this led me to call this band a "guilty pleasure" of mine, as they aren't innovative, aren't deep, and aren't studied. That doesn't leave a lot to make you memorable, and in all fairness that's probably still going to happen to the band. But levity itself can be a challenge. When everyone can make a grill cheese, how do you become known for it? That's where YTG is, making the musical equivalent really well. 

It's all about the balance here, which is something I find myself seeking out more and more in music. The drums aren't going crazy, the guitarwork isn't looking for some excuse to wrestle control from the vocals, and the vocals ride atop the music. The sound mixing isn't perfect, as there are some sections where the vocals and music fight to drown each other out. It's rare enough, though, that it doesn't distract or irritate.

If something is to stand out, it will be Sameer Gadhia, belting every line he can possibly make an excuse for. There are times where this can be a little much, but it's hard to complain too much--I'm belting the notes as best as I can alongside. And I don't blame him for expressing this joy; this music sets him up so well for the exuberance he displays.

I also should mention the appreciation for the lyrics that I have. They're not extremely memorable, but the one great trend YTG bucked was being gross. I'm not averse to the concept that sex, love, even just general lust are all emotions that everyone has. But the general lack of care or even predatory-sounding lyrics that we had to endure during the 2000s....it's just surprising how en vogue it was to objectify and abuse. I'm not saying other bands weren't doing this, but it's always refreshing when another one came around.

I didn't mention Switchfoot so prominently for no reason, either. YTG have followed that summery blueprint fairly heavily here, matching the sun-drenched Cali surfing vibes that band has made their calling card around (well that and the a-has John Foreman could legitimately attempt a copyright for by now). This is where the guitarwork really shines, filling your ears with swelling harmonic chords one moment and plinky sparkly picking another. 

There's a temptation to shortsell their achievements here as safe or monothematic, and I won't begrudge the conversation. It's yet another area where the band isn't stretching any boundaries, even for an album written more than 10 years ago at the time of writing. Nothing is overly clever, but nothing is particularly baffling either. It's meant to fill in pleasingly, with oohs and aahs aplenty. It achieves that quite well. Furthermore, the energy of a band that's really feeling the music (as they are) elevates the material. 

There's value in knowing what boundaries not to push. Compare this to something like Borns, for instance: boundary pusher, super interesting. Inconsistent to the point of tedium at times. Young The Giant at worst is pleasant, and at their best has safe, but reliable, hooks that will sit in your head for days. Apartment, My Body, and Cough Syrup are all instant classics. They're songs I seek out. That's no small feat in such a crowded genre.

 

7.5/10