Fluf – The Classic Years – Review

Fluf

The Classic Years (Headhunter/Cargo)
by Joshua Brown

The third CD from the guys who always let you know what a fool you are for not buying the vinyl. The last time I saw these San Diegans on their home turf (they’re too lazy to play out here), it was in an old skating rink. The kiddies all formed a huge circle, and everybody did their own special jig. There were no flailing arms searching for a target and no gangling hippie dances, just people genuinely happy to be under the same roof, following the lead of their hero, H.R. flufnstuf (actually, his nickname’s O and he’s a big dude). It’s their combo of the fattest sound in distorted guitars and deep, heartfelt singing that make me feel like a child getting a big bear hug by St. Nick every time I listen to Fluf. The Classic Years collects all the band’s 7-inch singles and a couple bonus songs. Their two full-lengths are more cohesive, but each album has its own humorous litany that inspires contentment by wanting what you have (“Try to be like him, try to be like you, it’s an ordinary life no matter what I do. I’m strange.”). Along with some classic original material, there are interesting covers of the Spinanes, Overwhelming Colorfast, and P.J. Harvey.