Youth of Today
Can't Close My Eyes

THE REVIEW

Teenage energy turned to black and white, a positive mental attitude, four gritty chords, and the naïve anger of a group of kids eager to express themselves, to say it to one another. Nine raw and uncut tracks, as hard as stones in your shoes. Tracks that resolve in a few, very few minutes.
Originally from Connecticut but adopted New Yorkers, Youth Of Today are among the best representatives of that second wave of American hardcore from 1985 to 1990. From the ashes of Youth Of Today emerged Shelter, still active today.

Originally recorded in September 1985 for Positive Force and released as a 7", this raw stuff, which is dear to hardcore nostalgics and says nothing to everyone else, contains some of the band's classics: "Take a Stand", "I Have Faith", "Can't Close My Eyes", "Youth of Today" and the anthem "Youth Crew", small, brief bursts for restless kids. We are not yet at the level of subsequent albums "Break Down the Walls" and "We're not in this Alone", but the energy is all there, and in this case, the sheer spontaneity that animates all debut works is felt in Ray Cappo's raw and clumsy voice, in the slogan-driven lyrics, in John Porcelly's scratchy guitar riffs, and in the nervous, lightning-fast escapades of the rhythm section, all held together by a simple, clean, and overall effective production (listen to the 1988 version remixed by Don Fury and released in 12" format with the addition of the track "Positive Outlook").
There were many bands ideologically and musically akin to Youth Of Today, but few could boast as much credibility and energy, as evidenced by the freshness emanating from these grooves over twenty years later. Those naïve kids seem to still be there, telling each other something, clattering with their out-of-tune instruments, and living something reminiscent of youth.
Plastic figures photocopied in memory.