Signed in a feeding frenzy following their win at the music industry's annual new music shindig, In The City, in 1998, several people obviously believed that Younger Younger 28s could be, to coin the band's own phrase, the next big thing. Eighteen months down the line, ever heard of them? Oh dear, probably not, but if you have, rest assured the singles are amongst the worst songs on this album.
Comprising two girls singing backing vocals, a keyboard wizard and a Yorkshire born lead singer. The words "Human" and "League" leap immediately to mind before you hear the songs and refuse to shift even after.
At least YY28s don't try to deny it – it would be futile to try to rebuff the claim. 'We Nearly Made It' facsimiles 'Don't You Want Me' and playing Name That (Human League) Tune could make an amusing party game.
YY28s peddle vignettes of provincial life over Hi NRG eighties retro synth tracks – council estate pop as they describe it.
The songs focus on telling stories of characters – Julie, Gary, Valerie, Dirty Harry, etc. - living in the band's world. A supermarket worker, strippers, drug addicts, the teenage mum – listened to carefully, this certainly isn't an album for the escapist. The lyrics read like a damning social document for the nineties. How depressing.
But if you let go a little, accept the characters as a particularly precise fiction and just go with the flow, YY28s will soon have a smile on your face. And there's nothing wrong with a cheerful attitude. Travis and Radiohead; listen and learn. If you've forgotten how to enjoy music, try this - just don't take it too seriously. Of course, if you hated the Human League…
