Casino Twilight Dogs
by Youth Group
  • Record Label: Anti
  • Release Date: Jan 30, 2007
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Spin
    80
    That most welcome of albums: a great driving record that exquisitely soundtracks crushes and heartbreaks. [Feb 2007, p.89]
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  2. Under The Radar
    80
    Fans of transcendent and exact pop will delight in Casino Twilight Dogs. [#16, p.95]
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  3. AllMusic
    80
    Youth Group's poignant and thought-provoking lyrics and storytelling style have pushed the group into the emo bag, but with their incandescent music, they're far too glittering to be left with that label for long.
  5. Filter
    78
    Throughout, group leader Toby Martin accelerates his ascent to bedroom bard of the medicated generation, filling Twilight with Zach Braffian tales of the perils that exist in relationships with girls (“Sorry”) and pills (“On A String”).
  6. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    Sure, you can wonder whether there’s a need for Youth Group with so many bands trying to replicate the success of Coldplay and Death Cab for Cutie, but Casino Twilight Dogs is worth a listen.
  7. Alternative Press
    70
    Despite plenty of subtle charm and wistfulness, the band's implicit pursuit of warmth occasionally veers off course to flirt with surprising sterility. [Feb 2007, p.115]
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  8. Rolling Stone
    60
    They wield massive choruses, stadium-ready production and the keening vocals of Toby Martin. [22 Feb 2007, p.80]
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  9. cokemachineglow
    45
    This Youth Group record is a diluted version of already watered-down music; not only is it not as good as their first album, I’m not sure it’s as good as Keane’s first album.
  10. NOW Magazine
    40
    It's all soaring, boring hooks, ringing guitars cribbed from the last two decades of sad bastard Britpop and wussy vocals polished to a sleek finish that makes them ideal fodder for Hollywood soundtrack supervisors.
  11. PopMatters
    40
    Unlike other emo bands, Youth Group is blessed with a singer who can sing and a talented team of players which makes them slightly harder to write off. But only slightly, because the final straw [is] their lyrics.
  12. Uncut
    40
    It's over-polished and lacks excitement. [Jun 2007, p.119]
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  13. Stylus Magazine
    33
    Just go buy an album that isn’t this one.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. MDKMDK
    Apr 3, 2007
    10
    Say what you want, but I've been disappointed lately by the caliber of indie music that has been coming out in the past 12 months. For Say what you want, but I've been disappointed lately by the caliber of indie music that has been coming out in the past 12 months. For starters, it all sounds the same and the slow stuff just doesn't have that angst. But then a band like Youth Group comes along. Cross between Bright Eyes (last album), Album Leaf (atmospheric melodies), and 60's hippie pop (Simon & Garfunkel?). The music is transporting. I wasn't crazy about their previous album. I feel like they really spread their wings on this one.… Full Review »
  2. alanl
    Mar 13, 2007
    6
    Skeleton Jar was surprising, Twilight Casino Dogs is... disappointing
  3. wookieboy
    Feb 25, 2007
    10
    Criminally under-rated
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