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Mar 15, 2011 Issue #35 - Winter 2011 - Death Cab for Cutie By Hays Davis

Yuck‘s members hail from London, Hiroshima, and New Jersey, but anyone would be forgiven for thinking that their debut album was the product of an American rehearsal space. Considering how the U.S.A. hardly has the market cornered on upbeat, melodic rock driven by raspy-raw guitars, it’s best to give in at the start to the broad appeal of Yuck‘s kicks than to sweat over sifting out their influences.

The opening “Get Away” sets its statement of purpose in a bed of Dinosaur Jr.-ish guitar squall and Pavement shades, though “The Wall” quickly shifts to a power-pop springboard that instead takes its cues from Teenage Fanclub as the band works to shape a design of its own from recognizable pieces. Tracks such as “Shook Down” reveal a gift for softening the edges while maintaining a solid core, though it may be the startling, rocket-powered pop explosion of “Holing Out” that leaves people slack-jawed at their shows.

Based in London, where the self-produced album was recorded, Yuck has mostly been touring since the release of their March 2010 debut single, when they weren’t busy working separately on drawings, books, and t-shirts. Whether roadwork, general chemistry, or their broad creative leanings played the biggest part, Yuck have managed to craft a surprisingly accomplished album for a band that’s only a little more than a year old. (www.myspace.com/yuckband)

Author rating: 7/10