Recorded less than a year after the group's formation in Binghamton, NY,
Yolk's self-titled debut showcases their mix of styles well. Jimmy John McCabe's deep voice serves his angst-ridden lyrics well and effectively anchors the upper-register funk rhythms. The production isn't complicated and the mix is a little flat, but each instrument comes through clearly -- not an easy task in a hard-driving septet. The band's political attack can be overly hyperbolic at times, though there is certainly a liberal charm to it when one takes into account the fact that the music was composed at the tail end of the Reagan/Bush era. Guitarists Dave Fitzhugh and Pete Carvelas don't fare so well on the funk rhythms but consistently create jaggedly interesting lead melodies.