YU(c)K

Yuck … it’s Yuck

Friday, March 11th, 2011 | musiX | 1 Comment

I’ve been sitting on Yuck (not to be confused with Yu(c)k … or are they to be? Confused?) for a few weeks now. The London quartet sounds like (y)our favorite band(s) from the ’90s. Which is to say Yuck relies heavily on heavy distortion and dreamy choruses and echo-y everything. Which might be my problem.

I like it. And the more I listen, the more I like. But in the back of my mind I keep thinking there’s too much Dinosaur Jr. and Teenage Fanclub (maybe a little Ride) cribbing going on. But I like it. Yuck’s self-titled Fat Possum debut is a moody pop collection filled with loads of string-bends, a little twee and enough noise to keep the thing from becoming too precious. Upon first listen it sounds like a ’90s comp fresh outta the tape deck of someone who really knows their shit. A few spins in and Yuck’s own identity starts to emerge. And singer-guitarist Daniel Blumberg (who cut his teeth in UK spaz-rockers Cajun Dance Party) emerges as a solid songwriter, whether the band is going at it hard and heavy (”Holing Out”) or soft and sweet (”Suicide Policeman”).

As with garage rock, the market for noisy, ’90s-inspired pop (Weekend, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, NZ’s Surf City to name a few) is becoming saturated. Some good. Most not-so good. Yuck belongs in the former. You know, I think they’ve won me over. And I kinda like it.

Yuck performs April 20 at the Wonder Ballroom.

“Holing Out” - Yuck

Video for “Get Away”