YUP's first collection, 1990-1992, works as a great testament for the old, progressive YUP. It contains the first recordings for the independent Elmerecords label: two EPs, one LP, and one single. It is hard to define a band such as YUP -- mostly it has been called "rock-opera" or just "unexplainable." That's understandable when this band creates songs consisting of over 20 different parts (e.g., "Koiraöljyä"). From 1990-1992, YUP floated freely around different styles of rock, and the result in the music was like progressive punk rock, which surely is not a style that can be called easy listening. "Turpasauna" starts this compilation quite slowly, but songs such "Persearsenaali" and "En Ole Mukava Mies" show the real side of YUP. Martikainen's absurd lyrics and attractive, fast riffs need some time to understand, especially in songs like "Aallonpohjan Palahomma" and "Kumma Keko." The last single before the release of this compilation, "Daavidin Fuzz," introduces the new drummer and actually a new YUP: with two guitarists, the playing sounds more natural. The next album, Toppatakkeja ja Toledon Terästä, is a chapter of its own, but many fans of YUP miss this old style of the band. Of course it is easy to yearn for more music like this, but it is clear that no one can do music like this forever. 1990-1992 is a difficult but rewarding package of progressive rock music.
© Antti J. Ravelin /TiVo