1990S

The decade of the '90s is barely old enough to have a VH1 series dedicated to reminiscing about it. But a mere seven years later, a band, with a retro sound that ironically predates the aforementioned decade, has adopted the finale to the 20th century as its namesake. The band 1990s was formed by Jackie (previously John) McKeown, former bandmate of Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos in Scottish outfit The Yummy Fur. Their debut, Cookies (produced by former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler), is delightfully simple, upbeat, retro and succinct (with the 12 tracks combined clocking in at just over 35 minutes). The songs don't have any hidden meanings or any complex songwriting -- it's all very straightforward, with grooving, throbbing guitar and vocals in the vein of the skuzzy style of The Kooks' Brit Pop Rock, with toned down elements of David Bowie and Iggy Pop. The lyrics are full of sleazy come-ons and braggadocio delivered rhythmically by McKeown with a hint of a snarl. Cookies is exactly what you think it is within the first minute of listening to the album -- all tight, ripped jeans, drug use and barely contained sex drive. As such, 1990s offer some Rock & Roll that doesn't take itself seriously with the album equivalent of a late-night party in a dirty New York loft. (Kevin Michell) Grade: B