Walter Martin - We're All Young Together 2014

The first of the Walkmen to surface with new music in the wake of the band's hiatus, Walter Martin said that parenthood gave him an opportunity to write songs that captured early rock & roll's mischievous innocence. He nails those feelings -- and many more -- on We're All Young Together, which, from its title to its songs, delivers a creative and thoughtful take on music that's fun for all ages. Like the rest of the album, the '50s and '60s influences never feel contrived: The hints of doo wop in "We Like the Zoo ('Cause We're Animals Too)"'s layered backing vocals enhance the song's seemingly goofy but accurate exploration of the kinship kids feel with wild animals. Later on, Martin wisely avoids making the standout "The Beatles (When Ringo Shook His Mop)" sound too much like the Fab Four, instead channeling the fun-loving freedom John, Paul, George, and Ringo still generate in young-at-heart listeners with a little help from his friends (who include bandmate Hamilton Leithauser and French Kicks' Nick Stumpf and Josh Wise). However, We're All Young Together doesn't completely forsakeMartin's Walkmen legacy. The sweetly summery "Costa Rica" is a cheery echo of the tropical and folky sounds the band explored on Lisbon and You & Me, while the spiky, slinky guitar on "Rattlesnakes" evokes Bows + Arrows. The album's wonderfully whimsical songwriting also echoes Harry Nilsson, whose Pussy Cats got the full-album cover treatment by the Walkmen in 2006. Martin's deceptively simple couplets are a big part of what makes We're All Young Together so special, and they shine especially brightly on "Sing to Me," where Karen O's delivery of lyrics like "I'd like to breach the castle wall of you/And sing a concert in the hall of you" reaffirms her gentler side may be more interesting, and sustainable, than her career as a rock tigress. Here and elsewhere on the album, the tone is unexpectedly reflective, and it often feels like We're All Young Together is more about childhood than aimed at children: "It's a Dream" sparkles with the simplicity of the best parts of being very young -- listening to birds sing, eating lunch, taking naps. Fortunately, everyone can enjoy those feelings in these playful and poetic songs, which balance sophistication and wonder with an inclusive warmth that makes We're All Young Together a complete delight. AMG.

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