Autistic Youth has long been a good live band. I’ve probably seen them a dozen times over the last few years, beginning back when the still-underage foursome was in high school, and it’s always a good show. They released a seven inch a couple of years ago that wasn’t half bad, but it wasn’t until they got back from tour last month and gave me a copy of their new full-length, Landmine Beach, that it became clear that what AY really excels at is recording.

Check out the details of the title track. You could easily miss that one or two second guitar lead in the third round of the choppy section that opens the song, but the quick, cramped lead foreshadows the longer solo in the middle of the song and makes it feel like a release of something that’s been trying to break out since the reverse cymbal at the beginning.

The verses come patiently at a moderate pace, and drummer Seve Sheldon keeps a pretty interesting beat throughout these sections even though he could just get away with the old dum–TAT. Vocalist Adam Becker’s rhythmic, almost talking vocal style has really developed since the seven inch. He’s always in control, never creeping into a scream, while the backup vocalists take care of the melody.

autisticyouth.com
Autistic Youth is playing at the Dog House on Friday, August 18. Write autisticyouth@hotmail.com for info.