Artist: Drive Like Jehu Album: Yank Crime

Year: 1994
Duration: 53:14

Yank Crime

Drive Like Jehu's Yank Crime: A Critical Review of the Album

Drive Like Jehu is an American post-hardcore band that formed in San Diego, California, in 1990. Throughout their career, they released three albums, with Yank Crime being the second. This album is considered a classic in the post-hardcore genre, and it's praised for its complex song structures, explosive guitar riffs, and intense vocal performances. In this critical review, we'll explore the music genre and history of the album, analyze the best songs and innovative parts, and conclude with a critic to the album.

Yank Crime is classified as post-hardcore, a subgenre of punk rock that emerged in the 1980s. Post-hardcore bands combine the aggressive energy of punk with complex music structures, experimentation, and social commentary. Drive Like Jehu took this genre to the next level by adding math rock influences, unusual time signatures, and intricate guitar interplay. Yank Crime follows the same formula as their debut album, mixing dissonant chords, frenetic tempos, and angular melodies. However, Yank Crime is a darker and more epic album, with longer tracks and a more cohesive sound.

The best songs of Yank Crime are Here Come The Rome Plows, Luau, and New Intro. Here Come The Rome Plows is the opening track and the most famous one. It starts with a fast-paced drumbeat, followed by a jangly guitar riff, and exploding into a driving groove. The lyrics tell a story of an apocalypse caused by a swarm of locusts, and the music matches the apocalyptic mood. Luau is a slower and moodier track, with a haunting melody and cryptic lyrics. The chorus, I'm on my knees, and you're water, is one of the most memorable moments of the album. New Intro is a short instrumental that sets the tone for the second half of the album. It features a complex guitar riff that sounds like a twisted nursery rhyme, and it builds up to a cathartic climax.

The most innovative parts of Yank Crime are the guitar playing and the vocal performances. Drive Like Jehu has two guitarists, John Reis, and Rick Froberg, who have a unique chemistry. They play unusual chords, arpeggios, and harmonies, creating a dense and polyphonic sound. They also trade solos and create interlocking patterns that sound like a conversation. The vocals of Rick Froberg are also distinctive, as he switches between shouting, whispering, and singing. His lyrics are abstract and surrealistic, but they convey a sense of urgency and despair. The rhythm section of Drive like Jehu, consisting of Mike Kennedy on bass and Mark Trombino on drums, also deserves praise for their tight and dynamic performances.

The critic to Yank Crime is that it might be too intense and challenging for some listeners. The songs are long and intricate, and the production is raw and uncompromising. The album requires multiple listens to appreciate its nuances and subtleties, and it's not a casual listening experience. Also, some might argue that the album lacks variety, as the songs share similar structures and moods. However, this is a minor flaw compared to the overall power and originality of the album. Yank Crime is a masterpiece of post-hardcore and a testament to the creativity and passion of Drive Like Jehu.

Drive Like Jehu's Yank Crime is a landmark album of post-hardcore music, featuring complex song structures, explosive guitar riffs, and intense vocal performances. It's a dark and epic album that showcases the band's unique and innovative style. Although it might be challenging for some listeners, it rewards repeated listens with its nuances and subtleties. Yank Crime is a classic that stands the test of time and a must-listen for anyone interested in punk, post-hardcore, or experimental music.

Drive Like Jehu's Yank Crime is a landmark album of post-hardcore music, featuring complex song structures, explosive guitar riffs, and intense vocal performances. It's a dark and epic album that showcases the band's unique and innovative style. Although it might be challenging for some listeners, it rewards repeated listens with its nuances and subtleties. Yank Crime is a classic that stands the test of time and a must-listen for anyone interested in punk, post-hardcore, or experimental music.