While
Fuck has earned more than a few sonic comparisons to Matador labelmates
Pavement, in spirit they're perhaps closer to Unrest, who also transformed their many musical sources and inspirations into a distinct and fresh identity; for all of its myriad reference points,
Pardon My French is nonetheless a strong, engaging LP, brimming with superb songs and dynamic performances. While firmly grounded in off-center indie-pop territory, the album is nevertheless wonderfully schizophrenic, jumping from gorgeous ballads like "Tether" to the fevered "To My Gurl" to "Raggy Rag," a bizarre acoustic ditty -- complete with a kazoo solo -- which recalls nothing so much as Country Joe and the Fish. Good stuff; besides, with a name like
Fuck they're bound to anger your parents, and isn't that what rock music is all about? ~ Jason Ankeny