3 out of 5

Label: Hex Records

Produced by: Chris Common

According to the blurb on Pinko’s bandcamp page, “the original intent was always to play loud angular noisy stuff.”

They succeeded.

Existing in a delightful band of midwest / Southern sludge post-whatever rocks – often appearing on Ghost is Clear or Hex records, uncoincidentally two labels on which Pinko has released albums – the only real problem with the excellently vicious You & You is how well it sticks to that original intent; as in: that is almost all the summary you need. Which is meanly dismissive, but unfortunately, the group worked so hard to channel Jesus Lizard and Nick Sakes that there’s not much room left over for nuance.

A mention of Fugazi in that same bandcamp blurb manifests in the way You & You builds in some space between producer Chris Common’s forefronted recording elements – everything is pretty in your face – with occasional bass breakdowns, and vocalist Guillermo Mendez letting his snarl be tamed by an occasional melodic lilt, but otherwise this is a non-stop pummel, notes climbing to nowhere heights of beaten drum kits and rumbly low ends, nihilistic sentiments fitting for the overall heft of the record.

Your ears will be tired by the end of this one, but it’s for the sake of a great workout.