Home > Los Angeles Music > CD Review > The Go! Team, "Proof of Youth"

Backstory: This multicultural posse from Brighton, England first burst onto the global scene in 2004 with the amazing energy flash of their debut, “Thunder, Lightning, Strike.” Juxtaposing the childlike innocence of the dance parties in classic “Peanuts” cartoon specials (“Feelgood By Numbers”) with the rah-rah energy of “Bring it On”-styled cheerleader chants (“Huddle Formation”) and the sampledelic pastiche of early Saint Etienne, it was among the year’s most intriguing (and flat-out fun) full-lengths.

Why you should care: Their debut exploded all over hipster playlists and music supervisors’ most-wanted lists with equal voracity, with their infectious productions turning up everywhere from Honda commercials to TV shows like “Friday Night Lights.” When their live shows resulted in sweaty, hands-in-the-air celebrations of youth, the stage was set for the ever-important sophomore effort. Could they recapture the same giddy, emotional high of their debut?

Verdict: “Proof of Youth” not only picks up where their storied debut left off, it stocks even more happy-faced enthusiasm and body-moving exuberance than a dozen first-graders riding a serious sugar high. If tunes like “Titanic Vandalism” and “Universal Speech” don’t have you doing back-flips off of the top bunk, you might want to check your pulse.

X-Factor: “Flashlight Fight” features Public Enemy’s Chuck D ripping up spitfire verses in the manic maelstrom like his life depended on it.

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