Infinite Shuffle

With the latest resurgence of the shoegaze and twee genres, there have been plenty of solid acts to rise to popularity. But, for the most part, those bands have been one-trick ponies, churning out albums full of songs that are all pretty much the same.

That’s what makes the band, Yuck, stand out. These four gents from London can not only stare at their kicks with the best of them, they can also crank it up and grind out their share of solid, distorted alt-rock.

Straddling the line between hard and soft, Yuck released their self-titled debut in February and officially marked their spot in the pantheon of fuzz-rock greatness.

From the opening chords of the first track, “Get Away”, the listener is immediately transported back to the early/mid-’90s — to a time when vocals were as much an instrument as a medium for conveying lyrical emotions.

Yuck – Get Away

Yuck’s music is, at the same time, familiar and new. Listening to this album will conjure up many bands from the past — most prominently, but not limited to, Dinosaur Jr., Pavement, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Nada Surf, Yo La Tengo and Teenage Fan Club.

Admittedly, my knowledge of those bands is very basic and limited, but it’s not hard to hear their influence on Yuck. (Sidenote: If you’re interested in a much more profound and eloquent review of this album, go here.)

Yuck – Suicide Policeman

Other standout tracks include “Shook Down” (prominent female vocals with a ’90s college radio vibe), “Suck” (shoegaze with a post-punk feel), “Operation” and “Sunday”.

My favorite song is “Georgia”, which, in addition to the distorted guitars and vocals, includes some harmonies and a nice melody.

Yuck – Georgia

Barely a quarter of the way through 2011, Yuck is firmly entrenched, along with The Decemberists, in the discussion for album of the year honors.