Stranger Things
by Yuck
  • Record Label: N/A
  • Release Date: Feb 26, 2016
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
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  1. PopMatters
    Mar 3, 2016
    60
    While it occasionally points towards new and different paths that Yuck can follow, it also finds them returning to a comfort zone that may not be as comfortable for the listener.
  2. NOW Magazine
    Mar 2, 2016
    60
    Aside from flailing a bit at the end, the London group’s third full-length hits its mark.
  3. Record Collector
    Feb 26, 2016
    60
    The mild and tepid Swirling soon becomes rather repetitive, and Like A Moth gets stuck in its own saccharine, twee groove, but the majority of these eleven tracks find the band back on the right, fizzy, fuzzy, frazzled track.
  5. Exclaim
    Feb 24, 2016
    60
    There's an overemphasis on influences here that makes Stranger Things more recognizably likeable than imaginative.
  6. Q Magazine
    Feb 22, 2016
    60
    There are enough decent moments here for this to represent a step back in the right direction. [Apr 2016, p.117]
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  7. Consequence
    Feb 23, 2016
    58
    Adequacy is a trait that fits Stranger Things well. It’s not a disappointment like Glow & Behold, but then it only occasionally manages to reach the heights of Yuck’s debut.
  8. Pitchfork
    Feb 29, 2016
    52
    Where that album [Glow & Behold] felt like an expansion, albeit a minor one, Stranger Things feels like a retreat.
  9. No Ripcord
    Mar 9, 2016
    50
    Frontman Max Bloom’s voice isn’t even that dissimilar from that of the man he replaced in 2013, but he’s lacking something that Blumberg clearly had in his arsenal to sharpen his band’s sound.
  10. Austin Chronicle
    Mar 17, 2016
    40
    Yuck's sound soared from the start, each release sounding stellar--Stranger Things included--but a lack of novelty is rearing up.
  11. Mojo
    Feb 22, 2016
    40
    London's Yuck offer scrubbed-up take on the FX-drenched guitar pop of Pavement or MBV. [Apr 2016, p.96]
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User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Cassettiquette
    Dec 28, 2016
    3
    In 2011, this band hit the ground running with their self-titled debut album and were hailed by many as geniuses with their blending ofIn 2011, this band hit the ground running with their self-titled debut album and were hailed by many as geniuses with their blending of beloved 90's alternative rock band sounds such as Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth, Pavement, and many others. The band simply could do no wrong until founder and lead vocalist Daniel Blumberg left the band in April of 2013, leaving Max Bloom to take charge of the band. In September of that year the band released their follow-up album Glow and Behold to mixed reviews. I, personally, liked the album. It was a sweet and shoegazy retreat from their first album that softened their rough sound brought on by their first album, a characteristic many listeners found undesirable. The album was less sing-a-long and the change in vocalists, for many, was too much to endure.

    I was surprised to hear the band was working on another album earlier this year. And when I heard that they were recording it in the basement of Max Bloom's parents I became even more intrigued considering that is where they recorded their self-titled debut album. Perhaps the band was trying to regroup and get back to basics? Unfortunately, this record appears to be an even further departure than Glow and Behold was to what made listeners fall in love with them. Some of these songs are such obvious attempts to recapture the success of their first album that it's depressing. The title track "Stranger Things" appears to be a Blumberg ripoff lyrically and musically, making for a tragic experience for any listeners remaining that believed this band could find a way without Daniel Blumberg.

    One of the high points of the album was finally getting to hear bassist Mariko Doi make her debut on lead vocals on the track "As I Walk Away." It's a beautiful song until Max Bloom unexpectedly crashes in on the track with his out of place vocals and completely ruins the song. Bloom's vocals, time and time again, prove as a distraction from whatever successes this album could potentially display. This album has shown the band has truly fallen from whatever grace that was given to them when recording their first album. The only think this album succeeds in is showing the band's blatant attempts to imitate acts such as Superchunk, Teenage Fanclub and other artists more deserving of attention. Perhaps saddest of all, this album is the band trying to imitate itself.

    More reviews at www.cassettiquette.net    … Full Review »
  2. mgkelly
    Aug 21, 2016
    8
    Saw this band live a few years ago at a festival - Electric Picnic - in Ireland. They were very cool indeed. Also impressed with their firstSaw this band live a few years ago at a festival - Electric Picnic - in Ireland. They were very cool indeed. Also impressed with their first album. Great listening. Subsequently, heard this album and again, very impressed. Much better than the reviews on here, in my opinion. Lovely mix of a little touch of post-punk, mixed in with a wee bit of grunge and a large dollop of Dinosaur Jr slacker cool.
    For me, the highlight is perhaps the song Cannonball that bombs along at a really rapid pace. Latter half of the album is a wee bit more refined, but I wouldn't like them to become too 'clean'. Just the right side of too smooth /clean.
    If you like Dinosaur Jr or Sonic Youth, you'll love this.    … Full Review »
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