FFF Preview: Cult of Youth

We continue our adoration of Fun Fun Fun Fest, as well as our suggestions, with one of my favorite acts, Cult of Youth.  The Brooklyn group is the primary project of Sean Ragon, but he’s getting by with a lot of help from his friends.  As of now, the group has released two great albums, a self-titled and the recent Love Will Prevail, which I raved about on this here site. For me, it’s really hard to pin down what Sean’s doing, with sounds ranging from punk to folk to hardcore and on.  Ragon’s voice is deep and raspy, which occasionally lends the sound to resemble a bit of a sea-shanty/pirate barroom stomp, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.  If you’re looking for something special to get into, then this is the place for you to be.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/01-Man-and-Mans-Ruin-1.mp3]

Download:Cult of Youth – Man and Man’s Ruin [MP3]

Cult of Youth play Sunday at 1:30 PM on the Black Stage. You can grab both their records from Sacred Bones!

Cult of Youth – Love Will Prevail

Rating: ★★★½☆

There seems to be a lot to the storied past and present of Sean Ragon, the lead man behind the Cult of Youth outfit, but I wonder if that’s even relevant nowadays.  Where he began is probably not nearly as important as where he’s ended up, crafting another beautiful record, Love Will Prevail, that combines elements of folk, punk and perhaps even hints of more experimental works we needn’t delve into at this point.

“Man and Man’s Ruin” begins the entire affair with a dominant strummed guitar while a tribal tom echoes in the background, setting the scene for Ragon’s deep vocal to tell the story.  For me, there’s a great bit of restraint shown in his delivery, something that came often on the last Cult of Youth record, but not quite often enough.  Of course, he can’t hold back forever, unleashing his throaty yell as a female counterpart fades in and out.  As an opener, it demonstrates a warmth on Love Will Prevail; it’s almost a quieted affair.  A similar demonstration of this touch comes in the way of “Prince of Peace,” which uses a vocal effect (recording procedure) that creates a backing group for his voice.  Personally, I’m always affected when his first grows deeper and louder in the mix.

But, while Love Will Prevail spends a great deal of its time on the softer folk side of Ragon’s influences, there’s still some punk ethos in what he does.  “Path of Total Freedom” is a short number, but it earns its inclusion here with its usage of horns atop the rocking sea shanty.  Just listening to it I can imagine my old friends stomping about as beer spills from their hands onto the floor…a nostalgic image, but a good one.  Earlier tracks such as “Garden of Delights” also provide an element of darkness that I’ve come to appreciate in Sean’s music.  The interesting bit is the electronic feedback that’s used in the middle of the track, adding that experimental touch to the group’s neo-folk-punk sound; blaring horns continue to up the ante.

While Cult of Youth definitely holds onto a heavier side of folk, I will always fawn over tracks like “To Lay With the Wolves.”  On this number, the group perfects the loud quiet loud quiet formula that’s been fashioned by their forefathers. Interestingly, it always has this live emotion to it, as if the recording process has allowed Ragon to stand before you, presenting you with his craft.  In my eyes, this is the statement track of the record, giving you hard and soft qualities, while still playing with bits of creativity that are sure to be appreciated.

In the end, Love Will Prevail is more than successful.  On many accounts, it would be easy to lump the group in as just any other folk revivalist group fronted by a former punk rocker, but there’s so much more to it.  Splashes of experimental sounds, light backing vocals and appropriate horn usage push the envelope, and in doing so allow for Cult of Youth to make a statement: they’re more than just your average neo-folk group, and we’re all better off for it.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/01-Man-and-Mans-Ruin-1.mp3]

Download:Cult of Youth – Man and Man’s Ruin [MP3]

Love Will Prevail is out now via Sacred Bones Records.

New Jam from Cult of Youth

I get it, I get it, the day is almost over.  But, as I’m slowly making my way back to the rest of the world after hours away from the Net, I caught this wonderful Cult of Youth track.  I loved the group’s self-titled debut, especially considering the vocals of leader Sean Ragon have a definite punk leaning. Still, one of the things I appreciate the band, and it’s apparent on the following track is that the group’s not really a punk band.  In fact, they’re almost more of a folk band with dabblings in psych rock and punk.  At times you can find energetic tunes in their recording, but you also find solemn gems like this tune.  Look for more great songs on the bands up-coming record, Love Will Prevail, on September 4th via Sacred Bones.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/01-Man-and-Mans-Ruin-1.mp3]

Download:Cult of Youth – Man and Man’s Ruin [MP3]