Review: Yuck :: Yuck

In hindsight, nothing about the 90s seemed especially timeless: it was more like a continuous flood of trends, one after the other coming in successive waves. Yet, here we stand today with a tide filled anew with that decade's heavy slosh of guitar tones and riffs. Of course, upon reflection, it makes sense: there was a whole generation that learned how to play guitar and write songs listening to bands like Dinosaur Jr, Nirvana, and Galaxie 500. What's most surprising though about this second time around is how good it sounds—again.

At the moment, that enjoyment all stems from London four-piece Yuck. The singing fuzz of guitar distortion climbing to thrilling heights, the invigorating pound of the bass, the thoughtful coming-of-age narration, and gorgeous male/female harmonies. Put simply, Yuck's debut is one that's brimful of life. Having a 20 year-old channel a decade I experienced as a teenager should make me feel old, but instead Daniel Blumberg and company have a way of making the listener feel like a kid again—like this particular palette of sound is being played and experienced for the very first time. The quick slashes of gain-fueled guitar in "Operation;" the late-night high-toned Dean Wareham guitar line on "Stutter;" the delayed drum and tremolo guitar entrance on "Suicide Policeman." Here, that alternative 90s sound appears as fresh as it ever was. But what stands out even more than talk of decade's past is the songwriting—and Blumberg has it in spades. Catchy, dynamic, and never once forced or contrived, the lyrics and structure to Yuck's songs are both quick to ignite attention and slow to let it's pop vice-grip go. Early evidence from Blumberg's next release, a solo outing dubbed Oupa, suggests this sharp young talent is just picking up speed.

Yuck - "Georgia" (from Yuck)
Oupa - "Forget" (from Forget)