Lanterns
Apocalypse Youth
Self-Released; 2008
Ah – the energy of the young: so full of hope, promise, and a burgeoning sense of optimism that they are the ones who finally bring about some changes in the world. Granted, nearly every generation of American youth have sought to achieve such goals, with rather mixed results on occasion, but the last thing we should ever do is quell said confidence. And where else can we find evidence of such glad tidings for the present and future but in the music of Lanterns on their debut EP, Apocalypse Youth, a five-song project that is both a statement of dreams and plans as well as a fun-filled bit of fuzz-drenched indie-pop. This is no dischordant, noise-for-noise’s-sake indie rock; these four San Diego boys enjoy allowing their guitars to crunch and sing, while the bass sets a strong foundation for the fervent drumming, creating a musical mood that is at first classic and then more than a bit forward-thinking. We need more from this band.