YAK - 'ALAS SALVATION' (ALBUM REVIEW)

We all love a bit of rough around the edges rock, something with messy tendencies to ignite the burning fire that dwells inside. Punk Rock of the 70’s was the original patron of this musical volatility and it continues to influence bands throughout the decades. The style seems to have become increasingly more evident in recent years as bands begin to surface from the grimey depths of the underground gig circuit to have their crack at mainstream fame. Many of you will have already heard of Yak in some capacity, more than likely from their anarchic live shows. It’s a flashback to the rowdy punk rock riots of old, with instruments being launched into the crowd and a general sense of chaos infecting venues across the UK. This gut-wrenching feeling remains prominent on their debut album ‘Alas Salvation’ it’s an absolute cannonball of fuck you that somehow manages to avoid overkill with moments of melody and delicacy cleverly placed within. A record that, despite being heavily punk based, can appeal to the masses, they strike an incredible balance throughout with a mix of songs on all stages of the spectrum. The influences on ‘Alas Salvation’ and Yak as a band are casually black and white, we believe this is what propels the album away from being just another scrappy record destined to rot on the shelves of dusty old record stores. Having Pulp bassist Steve Mackey’s experience as a producer has clearly, likewise, reeped its rewards and last year they even released an EP with Jack White’s Third Man Records. Clearly a band with many eyes fixed upon them even at this early stage.

The album kicks off with the 2 minute long ‘Victorious’, we get the impression short and snappy is the aim with this one. An angry chant to get the ball rolling as the song rattles through from start to finish only being sliced up briefly with an aggressive half speed riff that has an uncanny resemblance too ‘Little Acorns’ by The White Stripes. The theme is evident with relentless pulsating rhythm and scratchy guitar distortion that create this adrenalized delirium as you attempt to sum up how you feel about the album. It doesn’t quite give you a minute to collect your thoughts even the moments of downtime are extremely engaging. They manage to keep you fixated from start to finish as physicality and dominance is forcefully asserted. ‘Harbour the Feeling’ is arguably the records most valued track and it’s not difficult to see why. Cropping up on many radio playlists at the moment as the band progress to become a household name. It’s the most continually high tempo track from the LP as the fuzzy bass rhythm maintains its snappy stature throughout adding an essential element of funk. Laid over the top is that ferocious distorted guitar we are used to hearing by now more than capable of causing a rowdy moshpit or two. With some hints of indie on mid-section riffs, the chorus breaks add that indispensable final ingredient to this winning recipe with simplicity and repetition that cries out to be chanted along too.

We are going to move on and talk about a few other tracks now, where we feel some similarity and inspiration is evident. Let’s start with ‘Take It’ a song that sounds like a bi-product of a Kasabian and Arctic Monkeys joint venture. The lyrics and vocals have a flow that could be dropped straight into the middle of the Velociraptor LP unnoticed. It’s clear from just listening that the instruments are not following the same muse though. The riff, percussion and bass combined sound like the missing Arctic Monkeys EP between 2009’s Humbug and 2011’s Suck It And See It. If that EP was, however, written in the late 90’s and produced by The Stone Roses. I know we are creating an extremely complicated picture for you all right here but bear with us. The title track ‘Alas Salvation’ is a short punchy fireball of pure joyful garage rock, something that we feel Jack White would be proud of. Think Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds ‘Red Right Hand’ with the next track ‘Smile’. It has that vibe about it vocally until it ventures off on a completely different tangent in what sounds like a dog with rabies barking ferociously. Great contrasting sections on this song as you can fully appreciate the merger between the soft, subtle, fast and erratic. As we reach the end of the album we come too ‘Doo Wah’ where yet again we are hearing similarities to another great band. The Strokes spring to mind on this track as we hear an early noughties garage indie sound with a touch of Yak’s signature scratchy distortion and unhinged lead guitar. Vocally Julian Casablancas is kicking about in the soul of Yak somewhere and it surfaces itself on this track for sure.

Make sure you check ‘Alas Salvation’ out it’s a great album from a seriously talented band destined for stardom. Their live sets are said to be one of the best out there at the moment so get yourselves down to one and support live music. Yak will also be supporting Alex Turner and Miles Kane’s The Last Shadow Puppets at some of their UK dates later this year including Castlefield Bowl, Manchester on 10th July which we, ourselves, will be heading too. So keep your eyes out for the live review of that set aswell. In the meantime check out their video for ‘Harbour the Feeling’ below and let us know what you think in the comments or on Twitter.

PEEEACE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igrbjz6EQ0A