THE ONLY CHILDREN Issue #32

Keeper of Youth

By Joel Cusumano
Published: June 1st, 2007 | 12:00am

Josh Berwanger, erstwhile singer-guitarist of the unjustly underrated Lawrence, Kansas, emo band the Anniversary, has worked up a bit of frustration after a decade of almost-was status. “Well my band’s got what it takes / But we just can’t catch a break / Reminds me of every good goddamn band I’ve seen,” he howls on “Dusty Magazines,” the seventh track on the Only Children’s sophomore album, Keeper of Youth.

Since 2004, Berwanger has forsaken his emo past, kicking up rootsy rock with the Only Children, which includes members of the Get Up Kids and Hot Rod Circuit. Keeper of Youth is an occasionally riveting but mostly routine exercise on early ’70s Stones and Dylan. It’s unfortunate to have to fulfill the prophecy Berwanger makes on “Dusty Magazines,” where he bemoans some “shithead” L.A. music critic who says his music isn’t “up to par,” though that might be the perfect way to characterize Youth, which doesn’t suffer from lack of melody or energy, but feels constantly like a stiff pose.

I’m just not buying it. Berwanger is at his best when he does brooding, ’80s-keys indie stuff, like on “1969,” one of Youth’s best. But, come on, dude wasn’t even alive in 1969. Even more embarrassing is when he tries to ape Mick Jagger on “Tired of This Town,” or worse, guitar ’n’ harmonica Dylan on “Something Like Me.” Berwanger’s dire earnest in singing what ostensibly sounds like a parody of Dylan’s rusty, iconic voice completely distracts the listener from any other merits of the song, namely the humable melody.

Like on the Anniversary albums, there’s no lack of good hooks. The best track, “Amen Amen,” is full of them with its barnstorming, garage-rock verse and lifting, gospel chorus that brilliantly climaxes in a powerful repeating crescendo. But mostly, this is mock-grandiose Americana stripped of its mystique; its wide-open possibilities crushed with rigid performances and lame lyrics.