Drenge
Drenge
INFECTIOUS
7/10
Originally released in the UK last summer, English duo Drenge’s self-titled debut is twelve heavily insistent slabs of disaffected apathy. Yet while the brothers’ compositions are monolithic—and almost monotone—in their post-grunge drudginess, they’re also full of verve. Brilliantly titled opener “People In Love Make Me Feel Yuck” sets the scene with its reckless, rock-and-roll/blues swagger, something that the riveting, riff-heavy “Dogmeat” and Bloodsports,” not to mention the rollicking nihilism of “Nothing,” all have in abundance. Yet the slow-burning carnage of “Let’s Pretend” is the highlight here—eight minutes of nuance and noise that would have ended the record perfectly. Unfortunately, the comparatively dull whimsy of “Fuckabout” follows, finishing the record on a somewhat lame, limp note. “I Don’t Want To Make Love To You”—a dumb parody on the traditional blues song—is similarly unnecessary and unappealing. Those two songs aside, this is still an accomplished, enjoyable debut.
