From: tony@ais.org (Tony Poole)
Subject: Ugly Kid Joe
Followup-To: alt.rock-n-roll.metal
Summary: Alice doesn't understand...
Keywords: Rape, DUI, Assault, Battery 
Organization: University of Michigan Computing Club (UMCC)
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 02:00:01 GMT


I haven't heard anyone mention UKJ much yet....

I just picked up their new CD yesterday, and was *very* surprised.  I had
seen them in concert about three months ago with Ozzy, and was really
impressed with'em at the time.....but not enough to pay $13.95 for 6 songs
(or however many was on that EP).

Aside from the grossly overplayed "Everything About You" (which is also
included on this album), the rest of the material is very well done.
One song in particular - "Goddamn Devil" kicks butt big time.  Of course,
this has something to do with Rob Halford on backing vocals.  Kinda lends
some sincerity to it.

The whole album isn't as piercing as GDD, unfortunately, but it is
definitely worth a listen.  There are a couple of slower songs - in
particular a *very* good cover of "Cats In The Cradle" by Harry Chapin.  The
other slow song "Mr. Recordman" pokes fun at record companies.

My view:

Neighbor - You've probably heard this.  Was awesome in concert - they turned
it into a pycho metal menage.  Good song, but'll probably be overplayed.
Great slow-to-fast-to-stop beat.

Goddamn Devil - As mentioned above - awesome.  this is easily the best song
on the CD, and could hold it's own against any sub-warp-speed metal.
Halford on backing vocals - evil.  This song alone is worth the price of the
CD.

Come Tommorow - Starts off slow, but good.  Good guitar.  About 30 seconds
in comes a little tease of metal.  Then the beat picks up.  Faster, harder.
Boring chorus, a little slower.  The rest of the song is filled with good
guitar solo, mixed with a couple repeats of the chorus, and a slow down.
This sounds to me like a heavy Aerosmith song - especially the guitar near
the end.  Above average song.

Panhandlin' Prince - This was a great song in concert.  Played to a rain of a
couple hundred bucks of change raining onto the stage from the crowd (at the
request of the band).  A growler.  The chorus is smooth, but the rest is
heavy-ish - especially the vocals.  The last minute to minute and a half is
filled with Ozzy-ish style guitar.

Busy Bee - A Bon-Jovi-ish song, I guess - at least the chorus part.  At
least the guitar sounds better than anything BJ (heh) could put out.

Don't Go - I don't mean to compare them to another band again, but this
kinda sounds like a Whitesnake (good Whitesnake - Slide it in and before)
song.  Consistent sound throughout.  Don't quite know how to explain it.
Good though.
 
So Damn Cool - Starts off with a pretty heavy riff, 
then somewhat degenerates into a Winger sounding rhythm, but only
for a bit, then jumps back to the riff.  All in all a good song, I guess...

Same Side - A bit of funk, but not too much.  Could be an Extreme song,
which is kinda scary if you think about it (or even if you don't).  Not one
of the better songs on the album, though it has some good guitar in the
middle - for a couple of seconds.

Cats In The Cradle - This is a classic song.  It was classic when it first
gained airplay.  It's not metal, obviously.  I doubt there's anyone who
hasn't heard this.  It's better than the original.  (oh, BTW, I was kinda a
Chapin fan when I was young - I listen to a lot of different music)

I'll Keep Tryin' - Has some heavy-ness in the beginning - falls to
mainstream in the middle, and finishes off OK.  An average song.  Almost
sounds like Rob in the background again at one point, but he's not listed.

Everything About You - If you haven't heard this, get out a little.  This
version has an intro by Pat - Ms./Mr. - whatever.

Madman ('92 Re-Mix) - I really like this song.  A fast beat - fast vocals.
Good lyrics.  Lotsa metal.  Crane's vocals are searing (though this has a
lot to do with technology).  [The songs about a madman (no!) playing havoc
in Disneyland with little girls - Knife gleamin' no feelin's, axe wieldin',
child stealin' madman is loose...in Disneyland] 

Mr. Recordman - one of those songs that gets stuck in your head, and dammit,
you can't get it out.  A lot of acoustic.  Kinda a Beach Boy sorta song, but
in a good way.  I picture this song being played in a movie about a musician
trying to break into the business.  Good song, for non-metal.

Overall, this album gets about a 7-1/2 to 8 out of ten.  I love Whitfield
Crane's vocals.  I like their guitar sound.  If they could lose the bit of
mainstream sound, they'd really be something (but isn't that true of so many
bands).

If you're a die-hard-I-never-listen-to-anything-but-speed-metal person,
forget this, otherwise, if you're reading this group, pick up this CD. 

-- 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tony Poole                       tony@umcc.ais.org * tony@irie.ais.org 
Traverse City, MI USA          tony@cherry1.trv.mi.us * tony@cherry1.UUCP
Newsgroups: alt.rock-n-roll.metal