Yuck

If you name your band “Yuck,” you pretty much have an obligation not to sound awful; otherwise the joke’s on you. Fortunately, this British noise rock band doesn’t live up to its name. Their self-titled debut is far from disgusting. I daresay it’s delicious.

Yuck has been likened to old-school garage rock like Dinosaur Jr. I definitely hear the resemblance, but my initial listen actually reminded me more of Japandroids. Yuck’s squealing, distorted guitar lines scream of everything that noise-rock and garage-rock is made of, but the lead singer’s vocals, especially in songs like “Get Away” or “Operation,” are more aggressive than J Mascis’. He certainly sings with vigor!

Get Away by Yuck

But Yuck are not at all Japandroids clones. If noise-rock isn’t your cup of tea, you’ll be relieved to know that these guys also know how to play without feedback and distortion on full blast. Their debut is sprinkled with quite a few “clean” tracks, which I assume are the reason that Yuck has been labeled as an “indie-rock” band. “Shook Down” and “Suicide Policeman” really caught me off guard on the first listen, as they’re not what you’d expect from an album that opens up “Get Away.” “Georgia,” yet another sound, sees a blending of male and female vocals that has a hint of The Velvet Underground & Nico in it (that could be the only time I say that in a positive light). Yum.

Enjoy on Spotify or Grooveshark

[currently listening to: Femme Fatale — The Velvet Underground]

MAN it feels good to write here again.

Another New Year, Another Disappointing Post

For some reason, the "Happy New Year" post is especially popular with v.iagra-selling spammers. This is getting really annoying so I think I'll post a new New Years-esque post and use it as an opportunity to namedrop some interesting bands/artists I've been listening to lately. I'm sorry about all review requests I did not fulfill and the lists I did not post. Somewhere in the future lies a day I will redeem my blog again, but it is not today, nor tomorrow.. —But back on topic, here we go:

Autechre
Bark Psychosis
Beirut
Boards of Canada
Baths (I saw him live a couple weeks ago!)
Avi Buffalo (also saw live, with the Antlers, a couple months ago)
Lily Allen
The Drums
Yuck

That's all for now.

Is this still a blog even

no