Ok so my You Am I story is quite a weird
one, condsidering that I'm really big fan of the band now. Back in the early
90s I was trekking up to a music festival about two hours north of where I
live. More specifically, my friend, myself and his sister were all pumped
to see Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden at
this festival, which also boasted a lineup of a then unknown Marilyn
Manson and Pop Will Eat Itself (remember them? well..it doesn't matter
anyway). Marilyn bloody Manson fer chrissakes...I really didn't know what
to make of the posturing and metal gothness when he unleashed his set on the
crowd - in daylight no less. Anyway, I'll go into more detail about that if
I ever decide to review "Anitchrist Superstar". So we're standing in line
while security is frisking everyone for guns and bazookas ('cause you know
these goths can get really violent) and I that a band is already on stage
blaring away. Then I remember that the lineup listing had "You Am
I" printed in really smal l letters and right next to that in even
smaller letters "all the way from Australia". Well, that was a pity 'cause
I probably would have really enjoyed their set, but I'm sure the moment and
show was just as surreal for them, being on the same bill as heavyweights
Soundgarden and a weird ass dude who looked like a zombie.
You Am I's appeal in Australia is quite legendary, and they
somewhat inherited the power pop throne from predominately 80s heroes the
Hoodoo Gurus and the Baby Animals. Early associations with
Sonic Youth (SY's Lee Ranaldo produced their "Sound As Ever" record) and tours
with Nirvana, Guided By Voices, Oasis and Foo Fighters did
little to broaden their appeal in North America and Europe. As a result, their
albums are pretty hard to find outside of Oz, but are there if you search
hard enough. Their sound is crunchy and melodic, and equal parts Big Star
and Steve Earle. Power pop can be a pretty limiting genre, but vocalist and
main songwriter Tim Rogers seemingly pulls melodies out of nowhere at times,
and demonstrates a love for country rock that adds soul to the band's mostly
raucous edge.
"Dress Me Slowly", the band's fifth album, really adds nothing to the band's
sound that wasn't there already: Rogers' gruff average guy vocals and classic
mod rock hooks and production, distinctly Aussie expressions i.e. "shits you
to tears" - which, I believe, means "frustrates you" - and generally a sunny
power pop record you can blare out of your car windows as you cruise wherever
on a sunny summer day. I really don't think even the band's true believers
thought You Am I would put out a record this good in 2001.
The band's days were questionable as Rogers was concentrating on his solo
career etc, but they roared back with a vengeance, and this record is more
widely available around the world, so could serve to bring the band some well
deserved exposure.
I'm not sure who "Judge Roy" is, but it's a great opening song to the album. For
some reason I'm flashing back to the 60s and the Ed Sullivan show and hear old
Ed saying "on tonight's shew..from down under...You Am I!!" and hearing the band
launch into "Judge Roy". "Get Up" was the first Aussie single off the record and
I suppose was played to death on their radio, but still remains a fist pumping
anthem. The next track "Beautiful Girl" really displays Rogers sensitive side
and ability for writing ballads in a Paul Westerberg type tradition. The latter
day Replacements are definitely a huge influence on You Am I's sound.
"Doug Sahm" is Rogers' tribute to the often misunderstood country rock hero
of yesterday and rocks with much soul and energy. Great slide guitar too.
The soul and r&b kickers continue with "Watcha Doin' To Me" and "Satisfied
Mind", the former reminding me of older Black Crowes or Stones
material. "Bring Some Sun Back" returns to the crunchy power pop and "Gone
Gone Gone" is a pleasant acoustic ballad. I believe "Kick A Hole In The Sky"
was the second Aussie single and totally rocks my world...this is one of those
glorious tracks I could listen to over and over again. "End O The Line" closes
the album with some old fashioned Nirvana "Bleach" era riffage and leaves
everyone feeling breathless.
I guess in Australia for every AC/DC there's a Rose
Tatoo,or for every Men At Work there's a You
Am I,which pisses me off somewhat. Someday soon some label should
snatch up their albums and distribute them more widely worldwide. In the meantime,
I highly recommend any of their albums should you come across them.
Mail your comments and reviews!