The Hunches have a lot of yelling to do, but that's what garages were made for, right? The Portland band kicks up quite a racket on
Yes. No. Shut It., its fabulously named full-length for In the Red. They have the spurt and stagger of American punk revivalism down pat, but it's the Hunches' obvious admiration for vintage R&B -- by way of
the Jesus and Mary Chain -- that makes
Yes. such a winner. Album standouts "Static Disaster" and "Explosion" feature sneering vocals over trebly guitar leads and a sporadic squalls of noise; the cuts would reverberate off your tin roof if you lived in the pub this album sounds like. There's no shortage of loud 'n' sloppy garage bands in the early 21st century. But listen before you scoff, 'cause the Hunches are here to curdle your milk. ~ Johnny Loftus