The Fauves were, for a long time, one of Australia's most criminally ignored bands.
The Young Need Discipline, with its melodic guitar pop and wry lyrics, was the album that saw the Fauves begin to receive the sort of attention they deserved.
While the Fauves display a sharp, intelligent sense of humour in their lyrics, it is never as deliberately obvious in their songs as it is for
They Might Be Giants, and their music is similar to the sort of guitar rock made popular in Australia by
Hunters & Collectors.
The Young Need Discipline covered a range of moods, from the sweet pop of the most successful single from the album, "Dwarf on Dwarf," and the grungy "Glitter Us" to the bluesy "Cheroot" (an ode to a cigarette butt floating in a toilet bowl) and quieter moments like "Caesar's Surrender" and "Man Lessons." Despite this,
The Young Need Discipline is a coherent effort that works well as a whole. Little wonder, then, that it was this album that finally brought them more than just critical acclaim. ~ Jonathan Lewis