CD: U-Bahn - U-Bahn | reviews, news & interviews
CD: U-Bahn - U-Bahn
CD: U-Bahn - U-Bahn
Got a hankering for early Devo? Look no further
Despite their name, U-Bahn are from Melbourne. Instead of looking to Germany for their musical inspiration, their minds are on a vintage band from Ohio. “Beta Boyz”, the first track on their eponymous debut album, reassembles the key elements of Devo’s version of “(I Can’t Get no) Satisfaction”. The chicka-chicka tick-tock guitar is present.
Next up, “Turbulent Love” does a similar job by hybridising Devo’s “Mongoloid” and “Whip it”. “War of Currents” borrows from the de-evolutionist's “Auto Modown”. The album's final track is “Time Warps Makes the Sweetest Sound” (sic). Apparently then, for U-Bahn, a time warp does make the sweetest sound.
Reactions to U-Bahn are going to be defined by whether they are seen as colossally cheeky or essentially redundant as their album says little – despite the odd contemporary tag – which hasn’t been said before. Beyond the borders of Devonia, “Right Swipe” is about internet-enabled sex and “Beta Boyz” takes a pop at clichés of masculinity. Suggestions of other voices come with nods towards Ariel Pink in "Right Swipe" and the waggish warping of pre-Beatles pop in "Time Warps Makes the Sweetest Sound". Even so, one shadow looms large: that of Devo.
The band members are seemingly in their twenties. The cut-off point for the model of Devo they’re looking to is 1979 or 1980 – some 40 years ago; a period when this template was on the up for their parents or grandparents. Irrespective of how they got to where they are, U-Bahn obviously know what they are doing and do it with aplomb. Whether this is a one-off art project or the starting gun on a full-on campaign to revive the Ohio Spud Boys is impossible to tell. For now though, on U-Bahn’s UK release it’s probably best to go with the flow and enjoy it for as long as it lasts.
rating
Explore topics
Share this article
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
To take a subscription now simply click here.
And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?
Add comment