Versus are a band from New York City. They’ve been at this rock n’ roll thing for quite awhile. Legions of fans are enthralled. After previously releasing full lengths on the Teen Beat and Caroline record labels, we are ecstatic that they have chosen Merge as their new home. You see, we have been among those legions of fans for some time. Hurrah is the first Versus long-player on Merge. A very, very auspicious follow up to two previous EP's, Afterglow and Shangri-La.

Versus was formed in 1990 by Richard Baluyut, Fontaine Toups and Robert Hale. Richard had been playing in a band called Flower for a few years, but that had run its course. Fontaine had recently moved to NYC from her hometown of Beaumont, TX. The band made an immediate splash on the NYC scene, and a buzz began to circulate. They first ventured outside of New York in the Fall of 1991 to play a festival in DC. After that they just kept going. Soon tours were booked with indie-rock heroes such as Superchunk, Tsunami, Unrest and others. Singles soon appeared on the Landspeed and Pop Narcotic labels. The shows were amazing, the songs were fresh and the sound was new. It wasn’t long before folks were talking about Versus from sea to shining sea. Over the years their status and legend within the underground rock community have continued to grow. Today they are one of our most loved and respected bands. Give up the mad props.

Hurrah is the 4th full-length studio recording from Versus (to go along with a full length collection of EPS, compilation tracks, b-sides and singles). We dare say it is their most cohesive, most resounding work yet. Hurrah was recorded by the band, without outside interference, over the last year at their own studio space in NYC. The result is a stunning achievement, Versus’ most mature and fully realized album to date, showing a band at the top of their songwriting powers—confident, assured, relaxed and in complete control. The songs weave elaborate sonic dialogues as cascades of blissful noise mix with gentle waves of soothing melody, while always staying true to their infectious pop roots. The melodies are carried by the enchanting vocal harmonies and solos of Richard Baluyut and Fontaine Toups, and these are backed by the intricate, hook-laden musical flourishes that have become part of the band’s signature. Songs dealing with the dense jungles of sexual politics are Versus’ forte, and Hurrah does not disappoint on this front, with instant classics such as “Said Too Much,” “You’ll Be Sorry,” “Play Dead,” and “Sayonara.” Deft and topical wit is on display on tracks such as “My Adidas” and “I Love The WB,” while “Frederick’s Of Holly wood” is a bombastic nod to the band’s influences ranging from Mission of Burma to Th’ Faith Healers to Sonic Youth.

For the record, VERSUS is:
Richard Baluyut (guitar, vocals)
Fontaine Toups (bass, vocals)
James Baluyut (guitar)
Patrick Ramos (drums)

The band are currently on hiatus.

Insomnia/Astronaut [7"] (Land Speed) 1992
Bright Light/Forest Fire [7"] (Pop Narcotic) 1992
Let's Electrify [cd-ep] (Remora) 1993
The Stars Are Insane [cd] (Teen Beat) 1993
"Tin Foil Star" on January Working Holiday split w/ Scrawl [7"] (Simple Machines) 1993
Frog/Go Tell It On The Mountain [7"] (K) 1994
Big Head On/N.I.T.A. [7"] (Teen Beat) 1994
Dead Leaves [cd] (Teen Beat) 1994
"Tin Foil Star" on Working Holiday! comp. [cd] (Simple Machines) 1994
Deep Red [cd-ep] (Teen Beat) 1995
"Revielle" on Ear of the Dragon: 19 Asian American Bands comp. [cd] (Fortune-Four) 1995
Yeah You [7"/cd5] (Caroline) 1996
Secret Swingers [cd] (Caroline) 1996
Glitter of Love [7"/cd5] (Caroline UK) 1996
Two Cents Plus Tax [cd] (Caroline) 1997
Afterglow [cd-ep] (Merge) 1999
Shangri-La [cd5] (Merge) 2000
Hurrah [cd/lp] (Merge) 2000