Yuck [CD]

Yuck are certainly living up to the high expectations that have been placed on them. Even before the release of this debut album, they had already been named in BBC's 'Sound of 2011' as ones to watch. The band were formed in 2009. As longtime friends Daniel Blumberg and Max Bloom had previously been in a band together. Their female bassist Mariko Doi hailing from Hiroshima, drummer Jonny Rogoff from New Jersey (who dropped everything to be with the band, including a degree) and Daniel's sister Ilana (providing excellent backing vocals) complete the band. They are certainly the most exciting band I've heard for years, and tipped by some to be the forerunners in a new grunge revival.

The album was recorded on a £150 (approx.) eight track, and so is notably lo-fi. But don't let that put you off. The emotive melodies they churn out, with Daniel's voice sometimes being used like a fifth instrument that blends in to the fuzz and wail of the guitars are awesome. With some songs, 'Operation' in particular, it's hard to determine exactly what he's singing about, but just like the song 'Holing Out,' where the lyrics are about communication problems, feedback gradually covers a voice that is already slightly muffled; that's the point. But it's not all like that. Its the slower songs in particular like 'Suicide Policeman' and 'Shook Down,' where Ilana provides some amazing backing vocals. 'Georgia' reminded me of The Lemonheads' Evan Dando singing with Juliana Hatfield. There are many comparisons with Yuck to the likes of Smashing Pumpkins, Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth and many more, but in my opinion for a debut album, Yuck have blown these other bands out of the water. They've brought back a much needed sound from the late 80's, early 90's, but taken it to a new level. Yuck have created a tidal wave with this album. Phenomenal.

The hype has been considerable and as some of the names bandied around in relation to this five-piece were perennial favourites of yours truly (Dinosaur Junior, Sonic Youth, Pavement), I was salivating at the prospect of giving this one a spin. How did it fare then?

I can't help but be impressed by their almost complete refusal to step outside their late 80s/early 90s time capsule. The fuzzed up guitar, pared back production values and rasping vocals alternating with gentle laments do yield memories of all the greats from this era. Tracks like Get Away, The Wall, Holing Out, Georgia and Operation are full of menace and attitude. Their sonic dissent is never allowed to run too far off the beaten track though. Each song, no matter how scruffed up by the alt-rock dynamic, retains structure and shape. The hooks are there along with catchy chorus refrains and this is enough to keep the attention of even the most ambivalent listener.

Equally, they are surprisingly competent when they ease their foot off the accelerator. Songs like Shook Down and Suck, alongside the penultimate effort Rose Gives a Lilly, reveal an unexpected tenderness and confidence when handling the stripped back fragility of lo-fi indie. These more pop-conscious efforts remind me of The Pixies at their most accessible and some of the vocals (particularly on Shook Down) touch on Teenage Fanclub stylistics that seem curiously relevant despite the overarching themes of this album.

So, why only four stars? Primarily, it is because they don't do enough beyond the template of the genre that they are so determined to recreate. Only on Rubber do they truly 'wig out' and that is by far the most interesting track on the album. This is why Sonic Youth and Pavement are so beloved - because they pushed or are continuing to push the boundaries of the scene they are in. Yuck certainly have the potential - the twin vocals of the Blumbergs and the taut bass of Mariko Doi suggest more may come from this band. Similarly, the refusal to allow all of this debut to be subsumed by their love for their alternative antecedents is admirable. However, there is not enough here of original vision and unique substance for the listener to be sure they are enjoying an act capable of setting their own terms and initiating their own scene.

All in all, a remarkably catchy and interesting debut with plenty of potential that is only partially fulfilled.

From the off you can hear Pixies, that thudding bass, it's here; you can hear My Bloody Valentine, with the heavily "fuzzed" guitars and the simultaneous male/ female vocals; we hear Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth, maybe even The Cure. But Yuck don't merely plagiarize, they pull everything off with sublimity, from the distortion drenched bookends 'Get Away' and 'Rubber' to the acoustic delight 'Suicide Policemen'. They make this sound theirs and only theirs, even the 'Teenage Riot' lift 'Operation' becomes thoroughly Yuck. Everything slots into place, the sounds and hooks conspire beautifully, even, (dare I say it?) originally..?