Versus

After writing some of the best indie rock of the ’90s, New York band Versus faded after the touring cycle for 2000’s so-so Hurrah. Members James Baluyut and Patrick Ramos kept busy with +/-, while frontman Richard Baluyut moved out West and started the decidedly Versus-esque Whysall Lane. But Versus slowly came back to life with a few sporadic performances in late 2007 and 2008, and by the time it played Mergefest—the concert series celebrating Merge Records’ 20th anniversary in 2009—the band had begun recording a new album. Whatever juice Versus used up in 2000 has been wholly replenished: 2010’s On The Ones And Threes is a gutsy, dynamic set of vintage indie-rock on par with the band’s best.

Updated 02/21/2012