I have the feeling that someone in the Abi Yoyos really likes the Minutemen and Nomeansno and are channeling them into the music without it bleeding directly into the notes. There’s a nice, anxious melody and approach that pervades all of the songs. It’s a curious, not-quite-syncopated bounce and a way to mesh quite a bit of experimentation and simultaneous approaches to a song without it sounding like chunks in musical throwup. I got that feeling the first time I heard the Ergs! The surface is one thing—they’re definitely a great first listen—but repeated listens are beginning to shower me with different-than-expected, hotter burning sparks. A pleasant surprise.
–todd (Riisk)