Not since a dying Freddie Mercury sang, “The show must go on,” has that line had as much meaning until the documentary Young at Heart.

Young at Heart is the name for an annual musical featuring a cast whose average age is 80 and eldest is 92. These fans of reserved music such as classical and opera are voluntarily pushed out of their comfort zones to where they sing rock and punk from bands such as The Ramones and Johnny Cash. The documentary follows their rehearsals for the new show and their battles to come to grips with James Brown’s ‘I Got You (I Feel Good)’ and Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’.

The greatest threats to their preparation is age and sickness (cancer, pneumonia etc.). They joke over how 2 members had previously being read their last rites. When another is asked if she saw a bright light when she almost died, she laughing throws a comeback, “No, i refused to look.” There’s a blood transfusion, an oxygen tank, hospitalization and death. None of that defeats the goal of living the best you can as much as you can. Young at Heart is very much about life.

Every viewer will no doubt understand and learn the same lesson an audience member stated: “I will never complain about being too tired and too old again.”

Be sure to hire it. THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

As pretty as the guitar and owl in the wilderness cover is, i don’t understand its relevance. Seems so folky. Then again, the sky isn’t blue so what do i know? Reality is different for everyone. The music’s more understandable. “You can beg but I’ll never stay,” sings opener, ‘Sad Vacation’. “Like a carousel that is turning back, creating all the things you lack,” states ‘The Autumn Carnival’. Both songs feel more nostalgic than the convoluted fact that relationships end. Most songs fit the same mood and rhythm with the exception of the uptempo ‘Enjoy Yourself’, the weird electronics of ‘Alternative Power to the People’, the Brit-sounding, indie rocker, ‘SETI vs The Wow! Signal’, and the Merle Travis cover, ’16 Tons’ which they admirably pull off. One of the closers, ‘Don’t Shoot She Cried’, is wonderfully spacey. The excellent low-fi of ‘Well They’re Gone’ competes for best track.

There’s no highlight, rather consistency, but if i were to share a doobie with friends whilst lying on lilos on a lake at night, this could be the soundtrack.

You may have already guessed that there are no revelations here but a good afternoon headbang is sure to be had. The songs are succinct, ranging from 3 to 4-and-a-half minutes. The tone of ‘Paralyzed’ would’ve been snug on the Queen of the Damned soundtrack. Even the lyrics do their best to fit the mood: “The smell of sacrifice, your disappearing whispers…don’t kiss me goodbye.” Halfway through, it violences up a notch with a kickarse bridge. The song makes for a helluva introduction. ‘Whip It’ maintains consistency with dingy guitars and screams. ‘Chemicals’ is understandably the first single with its rapid beginning, layered vocals and melodic chorus. I enjoyed the alliteration, “You’re the killer and the kisser.”

With only 3 tracks it would’ve been an old school single but 2 x Har Megiddo remixes got thrown in so that Chemicals becomes an E.P. LOVE AND DEATH certainly wet my appetite. Give me more!

Even though the album could be boosted by bigger production, the songs are strong enough to shine through. ‘As I Make My Way’, their first single, is strongly reminiscent of Our Lady Peace’s output in the 2000s; constant rhythm, strong melody and climbing (yet easily accessible) vocals. An even bigger influence is Better Than Ezra which shines in many places, especially vocally. Rescue begs more variation but standouts such as the affirmative ‘We Are Breathing’, sombre ‘Fallen From Grace’ and catchy title track ensure that they are a band who deserves success.

Zaidi: “We want to build this over time — the first album is just the start.”

Thanks to indie rock spirit (the band is signed to the lead singer, Zeeshan Zaidi’s, record label, Communal Records), you can grab a 4-track EP for free for the price of your email address at www.thecommuters.com.