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THE REVIEW
Was the music world ready for an indie revolution as early as the '80s? NO, I don't think so. Sure, there was hardcore, there was SST and Dischord, but there was no standout band that could appeal to everyone, the beautiful and the ugly.
Some tried, but among the glitter and sequins, there were gems that only a few were able to see... not because of superhuman abilities, mind you, but one must dig, dig, and dig through mountains of trash to find a gem, thus taking up precious time that could be spent on other, perhaps useless, tasks.
One of the most precious and rare gems is Youth Of America by the Wipers.
Active since 1979, the Wipers created a fusion between punk guitars and indie melodies, without shying away from the occasional solo and some piano, effectively paving the way for almost all future American alternative and indie bands (later synthesized into the abstract term Grunge).
The Wipers were so ahead of their time that no one understood them. Fame didn't even brush against them, rendering them the ultimate underdogs who invent, almost impossibly in music, without receiving anything in return.
Youth Of America, from 1981, is, in just 33 minutes and 37 seconds, a crucial work for all music. It's the "The Stooges" (the album, not the band) of its generation and all worthy and interested people should sample it at least once in their lives.
Punk, melody, and psychedelia are one thing, a single approach, after Greg Sage (singer-guitarist and only permanent member) demolished all the walls dividing the different dishes. It seems blasphemous, but I have proof, and to believe, just listen to "Youth Of America" (the song, not the album. 10 minutes and 27 seconds of goodness) that flows unstoppably like a stream of consciousness.
Nothing stands in its way and it takes you, kidnaps you, and brings you back only when it wants to. In the meantime, it bounces inside you, especially in your head.
Youth of America/Is living in the jungle/Fighting for survival/But there's no place to go.
Expressionism turned into music: few notes, few words (perhaps repeated repeatedly) that crush your head and it happens that even in pain one can find a little pleasure.
Youth of America/There's pressure all around/The walls are crumbling down/The walls are coming down on you.
Nothing and no one succeeded in saving Greg Sage. The followers of the Wipers religion have decided to cover him (Nirvana, Melvins, Hole, Calamity Jane, Thurston Moore & Keith Nearly) and all ended up with new songs in doing so, and what's the point of going around for laconic interviews, like J Mascis does, with the Wipers t-shirt? Bad luck is stronger than any good reason.
It is time we rectify this now/We got to see it now/Got to see it now/Now/Now.
The Wipers are your favorite band, only you don't know them yet.
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Summary by Bot
Youth of America by the Wipers is a pioneering indie-punk album from 1981 that remains crucial to American alternative music. Greg Sage’s blend of punk guitars, melody, and psychedelic elements paved the way for grunge and alternative bands. Despite its historical importance, the band remained an underground favorite without mainstream recognition. The title track's long, immersive style exemplifies their innovative approach. The album is recommended for all serious music lovers and punk enthusiasts.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
06 Youth of America (06:28)
Youth of america
Is living in the jungle
Fighting for survival with the wrong place to go
Youth of america
There's pressure all around
The walls are coming down the walls are crumbling down on you
It is time we rectify this now
We've got to feel it now
Got to feel it now, now, now...
Whoa!
They attack you from the right side
Down the left side
Down the middle 'til you don't know who you are
Stick around because it don't really matter
They'll try to put you 6 feet under the ground
It is time we rectify this now
We've got to heal it now
Got to heal it now, now, now...
Whoa!
It is time we rectify this now
We've got to save it now
Got to save it now, now, now...
Whoa!
(Whisper)
The rich get richer and the poorer get poorer get poorer...
Now there's no place left to go...
Got to get off this rot...
You don't wanna be born here again?
I don't wanna be born here again...
Man, this just ain't no existence...
Beware of those guys in disguise...
We're living in the jungle, fighting for survival
Can't wait much longer, hurry...
Ahhhhhhhhhhh.....
Take the risk...
Let it expand your imagination...
Take it...
We have no place left...
No place left
No place left
No place left to go
Ahhhhhhhhhhh...
They attack you from the right side
Down the left side
Down the middle 'til you don't know who you are
Stick around because it don't really matter
They'll try to put you 6 feet under the ground...
It is time we rectify this now
We've got to feel it now
Got to feel it now, now, now
Whoa!
Youth of america
Youth, youth, youth, youth, youth, youth, youth, youth
Youth of america
Youth, youth, youth, youth, youth, you, you, you...
Wipers
Wipers are a Portland, Oregon punk/post‑punk band formed in 1977 by guitarist-singer Greg Sage. Their early albums—Is This Real? (1980), Youth of America (1981), and Over the Edge (1983)—became cult touchstones that strongly influenced American alternative and grunge.05 Reviews
