Hurrah

New York City indie-rock darling Versus hit its melodious stride with Hurrah, the group's first full-length effort on Merge Records. Having released three long-players and numerous EPs, singles and compilation tracks over its 10-year tenure, the quartet, led by singer/guitarist Richard Baluyut and bassist/vocalist Fontaine Toups, has matured into an exceptionally confident and steadfast guitar-fueled pop group. That's not to suggest that there aren't the tense, six-string flares in odd time changes are gone. In fact, the blistering guitar attack on 'Frederick's Of Hollywood' is nearly knocked black-and-blue by Patrick Ramos's incensed drumming. Tender moments, however, such as the country-tinged 'The Spell You're Under' and the sweetly melodic Toups vocal of 'You'll Be Sorry' spotlight a seasoned rock outfit that deftly balances both grace and fury. -Bill Konig (cmj)