Album Review

1990s – Cookies

• 16th Aug 2007

Cookies is the debut album by 1990s, a band that once utilised the skills of Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos and Paul Thomson, whilst in a catalyst stage, under their previous name The Yummy Fur. They borrowed equipment from one Edwyn Collins to record their Bernard Butler produced LP, but was it worth their time and effort?

Throughout this feel good album, 1990s conjure sounds from Lou Reed, Dandy Warhols, Bowie, The Stones and Franz Ferdinand, who they are commonly and unsurprisingly compared to. For me though, they’re primarily of a Primal Scream persuasion. Full on tuneful rock outs that close just as your about to absorb the melody, the catchy chorus or a full appreciation of Michael McGaughrin’s skins n singing skills, of Jamie Mcmorrow’s bass licks or Jackie Mckeown’s guitar and Bobby Gillespie like vocals, notably on track three, ‘Cult Status’. It’s a successful amalgamation of all the tracks on Primal Screams ‘Riot City Blues’ LP. And that’s not the only point of reference to be found. ‘Lola’, ‘Jean Genie’ and ‘Wild Horses’ are other tracks that stand out loud and proud, with their blatant sounds fusing into the here and now.

The LP goes out in a blitz. 12 songs over thirty six minutes go some way to reveal the kind of tracks in store here. No epic choruses, intricately escalating intros or strangled outros, just sharp, fast hits of pleasure powered pop.
This LP’s not trying to be big or clever. It’s not a life changing LP. Cheeky lyrics frequently bring a smile, offering no epiphany inducing statements of just what it is the world might need now. It offers nothing original in its musical structure or sound. So what has it got going for it? ‘

Cookies, when all said and done is simply a great way to gleefully kill half an hour. It’s just good fun fuelled frolicking with excellently executed instrumentation and delivery. Without even an ounce of cynicism or sinister undertones to touch upon, the music reflects the artwork used on the LPs inner, a picture of a grocers named (like a track featured on the album) Pollok Shields. Very amusing indeed! Well done 1990s!