Unforgivable text-speak aside, The Devastations last outing with
Coal was a heartfelt, gravely voiced nightcap of an album, which strongly recalled the Tindersticks at their finest. `Yes, U' is a different proposition, which takes the listener time to warm to, such is the variance from their previous offering. Nevertheless, it contains plenty of noteworthy moments, despite album opener `Black Ice' starting like a soft-porn soundtrack with its lazy, soft, synthy beats and percussion. Luckily, this track then evolves into a sultry shuffle, which gets the toes a-tapping to Standish's catchy rhetoric, `Is this some kind of slow dance?'
`Oh Me, Oh My' recalls Super Furry Animals at their most minimalist, `The Face Of Love' evokes Nick Cave circa
Murder Ballads. Its touch of piano brings a spot of class to proceedings. `An Avalanche Of Stars' sees Standish embody Jarvis Cocker and twins his sardonic drawl with Pulp's lazy, pop constructions. The track that most recalls
Coal is the slightly saccharine, `The Saddest Sound', which is an effortless, emotive ballad.
The problem lying within this album is its anonymity. Each time after listening, it takes a moment to remember who it was that has played. `The Pest' is neither memorable, nor annoying as the title suggests, `Misericordia' an instrumental closer that leaves the listener indifferent. Perhaps the album title is there to jolt the listen into memory, more likely a plea to the same end. `Yes, U' is harmless and enjoyable, an unobtrusive soundtrack to your chore of choice.
