Devastations - Yes Album Review

Devastations
Yes, U
Album Review

The opening track of 'Yes,U' lulls you, it's a Barry Adamson-esque, melodic soundscape; the least threatening of them all. From here on in, however, we are bombarded with noises that wouldn't sound out of place in a well-executed snuff movie. Sound waves howl, as feedback builds on feedback, cymbals crash in half-speed and elegant vocals drape themselves over the music like a lazy lover.

On 'Rosa', the bass drum is as threatening as the bailiff's knock on a heavy wooden door as Conrad Standish sings in a manner not unlike Nick Cave crooning menacingly at Kylie Minogue all those years ago. In fact, this Antipodean bunch are proudly carrying the torch set alight by fellow countrymen Nick Cave, Roland S Howard et al, some decades ago when they unleashed the unholy delights of The Birthday Party upon us. Distorted guitars, all turgid and growling, kick the sings into life with giant surges of energy; the bass lines dip and lilt, expertly, bolstering the intense frequencies scratching overhead.

Devastations have been raising eyebrows and drawing pens to chequebooks across the globe, and you can hear the influence of travel in the music: the steely efficiency of Berlin life (where they recorded the album) is evident in the neatly programmed beats that underpin the more reckless poundings of Hugo's drumming. Elsewhere, they let out guttural bellows and high-pitched wailings in equal measure - a primal beast with a gentle soul.

Hayley Avron