Premature Evaluation: The Go! Team - Proof Of Youth
More than ever, the Go! Team have good reason to cheer. After the genre-bending British pep squad's 2004 debut Thunder, Lightning, Strike struck, the Brighton posse deservedly grew in popularity, signed with Sub Pop to handle their Stateside release, and, most importantly managed to turn out one hell of a sophomore album, Proof Of Youth. We all know the air-raided, girl-partying "Grip Like A Vice" is a blustery smash (even without the chaotic Rage visuals). It works perfectly as an opener -- the way the rest of Proof Of Youth's 11 tracks follow it is bona fide proof of maturity.
Nope, the formula hasn't shifted much, but that song-by-song flow shows a ton of teamwork: Group chants like the second, Pipettes-y single "Doing It Right" take breathers so the pretty, sweetly psychedelic acoustic 'n' shaker number "My World" can gust gently into "Titanic Vandalism" -- another example of "Rapper's Delight" rock by a twee-punk marching band -- and its shouted "Are you ready for more?" Yeah, of course we are. How about the imploded Comet Gain punk of "Fake ID" or the brassy '80s roller-ready outro "Patricia's Moving Picture"? Or, wait, the strings and guitar riffs of the rope jumping, but somehow stadium ready "Keys To The City." It such a frantic sound throughout, so overstuffed and right on -- Sly and the Family Ninja? Oh, that would be "The Wrath Of Marcie."
Let's not stop here … We also really love "Universal Speech." Is that the one with Marina from Bonde de Role? Who knows for sure without the liners, they trotted out everyone for this one: Amsterdam's Solex, the Rappers Delight Club (see) and original Double Dutch Divas, Washington D.C.'s Frederick Douglas All Star Cheer Team, and Chuck D. Tellingly, the "Grip Like A Vice" single's backed by Go!'s cover of Sonic Youth's "Bull In The Heather." Remember when SY brought Chuck D in for Goo's "Kool Thing"? Well, as further proof of their Youth love, the Go! Team brought the Public Enemy frontman on the "Flashlight Fight," which has a paranoid, siren-sounding backdrop reminiscent of early PE. It takes a nation.
So, yeah, we give a solid stamp of approval, but if you can't wait or aren't sure about leaks, the band has three versions of their new single packaged into the Doing It Right: Singles Collection available, each with a different b-side: "Willow's Song," "Milk Crisis," and "Doing It Right (Yo Majesty Remix)." Well played, team.
Proof of Youth is out 9/10 in the UK via Memphis Industries, 9/11 in the US via Sub Pop.
Posted at 6:23 PM in Album Art, Premature Evaluation
Tags: The Go! Team
Weird I'm actually downloading this now (yes I still plan to buy it on release)...hoping it'll be great. The cover looks like 'custom stickers' on The Information
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The cover is the best. I am going to listen.
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Gave it listen after listen yesterday, and I fully intend on buying it. So many favourites..."Grip Like a Vice," "Doing It Right," "Titanic Vandalism," and "Keys to the City" are mine for now.
I like the more focused vocals, and though the songs seem to follow a similar pattern to Thunder, Lightning, Strike, they're just as enjoyable.
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Universal Speech has got to be my favorite song of the year.
Great, great follow-up. I might like it more than their debut.
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I must be getting old. I've listened several times and have to say I am incredibly disappointed. I know its probably intentional but it sounds like it was recorded in my Grans kitchen (not much room to move, bad acoustics). I'll keep going with it but I'm not holding out much hope.
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It's pretty good. It would be impossible for a follow-up to hit me the same way that the out-of-left-field TLS did.
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To be honest, my initial reaction was of disappointment.
The songs were too focused, the arrangements weren't too inventive.
But just like that new Kevin Drew record, it's revealed itself to be quite a self-contained masterpiece. Nearly every song slays.
How about those horns on the bridge of "Fake ID" ?
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The record seems to be really fine, i'm planning to download it later this afternoon ( will buy it ofc).
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Just a thought...but didn't TLS sound like it was recorded in someone's Gran's kitchen too?
Got a hold of this last night and I've been listening to it non-stop since. My Favorites so far - Grip Like A Vice, Doing It Right, Titanic Vandalism, Fake ID, Universal Speech, and The Wrath of Marcie.
But the whole album is great, and a worthy follow-up to TLS. A must buy for all Go! Team fans.
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It has a picture of a speedway rider on the front, I already know it's going to be good.
I love The Go! Team and am hoping this album will launch them in to the stratosphere and global domination.
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