The Young
'Dub Egg' (Matador)
Reviewed by Austin Powell, Fri., June 1, 2012
The Young
Dub Egg (Matador)Dub Egg represents the Young's cosmic rebirth. Whereas 2010's Voyagers of Legend delivered dank post-punk with heavy hooks, the locals' Matador bow ventures further out to pasture – literally. The quartet cut the album at a rustic cabin in western Bandera County. In that capacity, early highlights "Livin' Free" and "Don't Hustle for Love" resemble Heartless Bastards' recent Arrow more than anything by the band's Casual Victim Pile contemporaries: their's a peyote vision quest with sprawling restlessness and indie guitar heroics. Hans Zimmerman's hazy imagery ("NUMB") and raspy delivery ("Poisoned Hell") reflect the half-light of early morning, coming closer into focus with every listen. The fierce "Plunging Rollers" and "The Mirage" take obvious cues from Tonight's the Night-era Neil Young, but there's more at work on Dub Egg than mere Crazy Horse revivalism. "Only Way Out" slow burns for the open country, while "Dance With the Ramblers" pairs Seventies classic rock skuzz with glam appeal. (Fri., 11:15pm, Beauty Ballroom.)
