One of the earliest Kyuss outings finds the band in a spirited, low tuned jam fest mood, rumbling through nearly a dozen songs with little fuss or fanfare. The basic style of the band is already in full bloom throughout Wretch, but perhaps the songwriting isn't as completely realized as later albums from the band. Though on the whole the album is pretty enjoyable as something you might put on while you're doing some work around the house, it doesn't quite captivate as much as other Kyuss releases. There are an abundance of fuzzed out guitar jams, reasonably good singing from John Garcia and above average songs, but nothing to quite blow your mind. As a start for this band, Wretch is a good debut but I'd recommend Sky Valley or ...And the Circus Leaves Town as better examples of what Kyuss is all about.

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 05/2000

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The sun baked day slowly recedes into the stillness of the desert night and you retreat to the patio to enjoy a cold beer and kick back. Chances are, if you fully intend to complete the proper mood, you'll put Kyuss on the CD player. The grooves and jams are infectious and laid-back reminders of a fuzzier day. I hesitate to label Kyuss as anything but rock music as they are very unique and transcendental of any scene. This early album is a great listen clear through, with that trademark Kyuss sound eminating throughout. Compared to later material, there is a definite looseness to the song structure (as you can hear in "800"), but you can't go wrong with any of it. Josh Homme's unique guitar playing is everywhere and goes from groovy to a quick beautiful acoustic interlude called "Capsized".

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 05/1998

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Out of the three Kyuss discs I own, this one is by far the best. Though it keeps the Kyuss' sound firmly intact and working like a finely tuned machine, there is something just a little more catchy, a little more moving, and a little better throughout. The disc is broken up into three parts (sorta like three acts of a play I guess) so you have to take each set of songs as a whole. There is a lot of varying degrees here: some heavy parts, some slower parts with almost whispered vocals. The boys set a pinnacle here. This should be your first stop on the Kyuss journey.

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 07/1998

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The desert does funny things to people, whether their ambition in life is biking, making music or just just playing golf. There's a certain vibe and atmosphere that one can only attain and properly understand by living in the desert. Kyuss, the lamented broken up group from the Mohave of California and veterans of the generator desert party scene, are one of the most prominent examples of desert metal (perhaps the only one, now that I think about it). Using ultra low grooves and slightly askew song structure, this final album from the band is a somewhat tripping and very engaging look at the band's solid songwriting skills. Heavy on the jams which are slow paced but still quite enthralling and with the vocals buried low in the mix (which only adds to their power), the entire album has fluidity. Guitarist Josh Homme deserves some recognition for his very unique style--you won't find anyone who sounds like him--as his bizarre tuning of his instrument is what gives Kyuss identity. The best tracks (and there are many) inlcude "El Rodeo" and the meandering "Spaceship Landing". Make this your retro pick of the week.

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 12/1997

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