The press release claims that 1990s (no apostrophe or definite article attached, please) are a 'rock 'n' soul' band, which actually isn't an erroneous description; while the likes of fellow Glaswegians The Fratellis draw largely from Britpop influences, the 1990s sound is one that owes more to the '70s than to their chosen moniker. The trio, consisting of Jackie McKeown (guitar, vocals), Jamie McMorrow (bass) and Michael McLaughlin (drums) are no strangers to the music industry, either, with McKeown and McMorrow former components of cult Glasgow band The Yummy Fur and McLaughlin the belated tub-thumper for similar rockers V-Twin. Their previous experience has served them well already, too; their debut single was recorded by Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub, and this album was produced by Bernard Butler in Edwyn Collins's West Heath studio. With such 'names' surrounding Cookies, you'd be forgiven for being disappointed with the actual product. Thankfully, there's no need to be - it's an honest, unpretentious and thoroughly enjoyable half-hour of scuffled guitar-pop. Rumour has it that 1990s formed as a band solely to entertain their friends at parties, and it's a disclosure that would make sense - most of the twelve tracks here are uptempo no-brainers with largely nonsensical lyrics - yet they're performed with such exuberance that their depth is unimportant. The Rolling Stones are an obvious influence, with Enjoying Myself, You Made Me Like It and Pollockshields in particular owing a debt to the antediluvian rockers' early '70s glam era, McKeown's cheeky yelp even resembling Jagger's on occasion. T-Rex are another reference point, with the bass-heavy Switch and stomping anthem Cult Status swathed in glam-rock. But it's current single See You At the Lights that will stay with you long after you press 'stop'; it's a euphoric, soul-tinged, jangly guitar gem with 'bop bops' as addictive as a drug habit. Cookies is not a perfect album - its middle section sags slightly before reconciling with the final two tracks - but as debut albums go, it's as chocolate-chipper as anything you'll hear this summer.
