I don't understand how these guys got swept under the boy band rug.
Actually, I do know how. When your first single is from the Inspector Gadget soundtrack, and features lyrics like "We can do it automatic/I'll just call out Go Go Gadget", you pretty much fuck up whatever chances you had of finding sustained musical success.
Now, I say this as a fan of Youngstown, not as a hater. To my current surprise, I actually own their debut album. And I guess, with that, any chance of proving my heterosexuality goes completely out the window.
I decided to use this post to simply re-introduce the world to the greatness that was Youngstown. Their debut album was filled with R&B-lite up-tempo jams and syrupy guitar ballads. Half the fucking songs appeared in Disney Channel movies or specials at some point between 1999 and 2000. This, of course, would explain why they never exploded. When you're most known for "making that song that appeared in Genius", you better start working on your "Paper or plastic" skills.
But I have to defend Youngstown, because I think they were a bit underappreciated. Vocally, they were a solid group. The dance tracks were genuinely hip, and the ballads were far from cheesy. And here's a cool fact: three of the fourteen tracks were penned by none other than a 20-year-old Ne-Yo!
Although, I do have to criticize the group for one painful little thing: no one should have Kel "Good Burger" Mitchell rapping on not one, but TWO tracks on their album. *shudder*
God, I love this country.
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