UHF - All Our Golden Tomorrows - CD
(Second Story Records)
Catchy low-fi rock that has a very ambient, airy feeling to it. They sound
a bit like Polera and Spacehog with vocals being a bit like
a Weezer and Elvis Costello mix. Steady driving beats with
liberal doses of Sonic Youthish guitar lines. "Rules of the
game" is instantly catchy and the best in a pack of worthy songs. There
are a couple of weak slow moving songs that don't hold any interest, but
the majority are great. A fine disc that will be a welcome addition to my
collection.
-- Grog Mutant (2006)
Ulises - Projection Beautiful - CD
(Fodut 6 Records)
With steady beats and a synth based groove Ulises is throwing his
hat into the ring to be the next commercial boy-pop sensation. Just like
all of the wannabes who throw their hat in during the yearly American Idol
auditions, I don't think he's going to make it. Still, when he looks back
on things at least he'll have the really cheesy CD booklet to look back
on and be embarrassed later on in life.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
Ultimate Fakebook - This Will Be Laughing Week - CD
(Sony) Squeeze
for the punk-pop generation? It could very well be. I guess it's just
the vocals, but damn if this doesn't bring Squeeze to mind, along
with the oh so catchy punk-pop rhythms. I caught these guys in Columbus
last year and they were excellent to see live.
-- Grog Mutant (2001)
Umeed - Hustle and Bustle - CD
(Umeed) "In Review"
-- (2008)
Under the Flood - The Witness - CD
(Koch Records)
"In Review"
-- (2008)
Under the Sun - Under the Sun - CD
(Magna Carta Records)
"Under the Sun" is the War and Peace of progressive rocks
for the sheer length of this epic piece that charts a journey into self-actualization.
Yes, this is another progressive rock release that balances upon the rocks
where groups like Yes and King Crimson rest and it breaks
into new age grounds as well. Chris Shryack's vocals sounds like Ozzy
Osbourne. Give this a listen if you enjoy Marillion or Asia.
-- Gail (2001)
The Uniform - Black and Vain - CD
(Morphius Records)
Sounding like it was recorded on a cheap thrift store four-track, everything
about this release is weak. Listening to it made my face wince up like I
had just burped up vomit.
-- Mite Mutant (2002)
United - Distorted Vision - CD
(Howling Bull America)
Another Japanese metal / thrash CD release. You just gotta love the Japanese
accent when they sing death or thrash metal. A very heavy and aggressive
release for a Japanese band. I hope the kids in Japan are into this band
and support them. 7/10 .
-- theSADman (2001)
Universal Defending - Out Of The Cross - CD
(Universal Defending) This CD is just plain bad in all respects. This is
a religious CD where the vocalist speaks/sings over basic beats and what
sounds like tape recorded music played back on a tape recorder. Frankly,
this CD scares me.
-- Anonymous (2007)
The Unheard of - The Struggle - CD
A hard rockin' band that tries a bit to hard to make their
songs sound full of angst. At times they remind me of a heavier sounding
Live, especially on the tune "Beautiful", which is the
standout song on the CD to me. If you like your music more on the grungy
side then be sure to check out "GRUDGEMAN," another bright spot
on this release.
-- Mite Mutant (2006)
Unknown Component - From Anywhere But Here - CD
(Unknown Component)
The singer-songwriter sounding group has a vocalist with a unique gravely
voice. This works wonderfully on the song "Run Around". Too bad I had to
wait until track seven 'till I got to hear it. The rest of the time the
vocals are just annoying, especially since the vocalist feels he needs to
drag out every word that he sings. When it comes down to it one good song
doesn't trump the other nine annoying songs to make this worth your while.
-- Mite Mutant (2006)
Unruley Cooley - My Way, This Time - CD
(Unruley Cooley)
Unruley Cooley is not nearly as unruly as I thought she'd be. This
plays out as slow funky R&B with a bit of rock influence. It sounds like
she has a voice meant to belt the blues, but she never cuts loose. At times
I think she could have been in a band from the mid-80s Minneapolis scene
(ala Prince), but most of the time it just has that light, over-produced
sound.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)
The Unseen - Complete Singles Collection 1994-2000 - CD
(Punk Core Records)
If you want to hear pure punk rock then all you need to do is pick yourself
up a copy of this CD. This release contains 30 tunes played at break-neck
speed (only 3 are over two minutes long). The songs are full of alienation,
anger and honesty. I would highly recommend this release to anyone just
getting into the punk rock scene. Not only will you impress your friends
who are just entering the scene as well, but you will also have one kick
ass punk CD to start off your collection.
-- Mite Mutant (2002)
Unwound - Leaves Turn Inside You - CD
(Kill Rock Stars)
Laid back alternative with soft vocals and guitars that float over steady
rhythms. I caught myself being drawn into their web more than once while
listening to this fine release. Another great plug for this band is that
my new neighbor was touting how much he liked this band when I saw him at
a local bar the other night.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Unwritten Law - The Millenium Collection - CD
(Universal
Records) One might wonder why a band with so few records would even
have a best-of compilation. In fact, only two albums make the cut here:
their third and fourth albums! Even the tracks are completely in order!
Still, if it saves you a few bucks, maybe it's a decent trade-off between
having both of those albums and forgetting the filler.
Unwritten Law is a terrific skate-rawk band from southern California.
You've probably heard their work on the soundtrack to every video game ever
released, but you can't pick them out in a lineup. Far better than mediocre,
their songs are good, fun rock and roll; some of them are modern classics
even. It's safe and even healthy to listen to rock music like this, but
it's a whole lot more fun if you're playing them on a boom box in a skate
park or urban location with some good friends, complete strangers, some
skateboards, and plenty of first-aid supplies (but what skater ever keeps
those on hand?) Their brand of fast, loud, brash pop-punk is nothing new
or original, but they do it with energy and gusto. You can live without
any of their albums, but this best-of compilation has got enough good-time
extreme sports soundtrack music to satisfy you if your collection has none.
You might not even need any other skate-rock bands, although I'd strongly
advise you not to stop there (after all, every record collection needs some
Descendents). Standout tracks: "Cailin," "Before I Go," "Mean Girl,"
"Seein' Red."
-- Jeremy Mutant (2006)
U.S. Crush - U.S. Crush - CD
(Immortal Records)
Take a pop/power punk sound, add irresistible harmonies, a heavily radio-friendly
element, and you'd have a damn good band. Pour a jug of Clorox over it,
and then you'd have U.S. Crush. This self-titled release has the
squeakiest-clean sound I've ever heard on an album: there is no grit to
this at all. U.S. Crush is possibly the new wave of punk influenced
music; a new breed of punk, if you will, where studio prowess seems to be
the really remarkable aspect. U.S. Crush is musically talented as
well - the catchy sing-along choruses and harmonies aren't just pulled out
of their asses. The sound is very college-friendly too-goes great with
cheap beer and silly frat parties. The album also features a hidden track
that is best off staying hidden; it's a bit lack luster compared to the
rest of the album. All in all, not bad at all. Keep an eye out for U.S.
Crush on college radio charts and MTV, because they're definitely on
their way up.
-- Lizi 'BratBabyMonkey' (2001)
The Used - Lies For The Liars - CD
(Reprise Records)
It took me awhile before I gave the music of The Used a chance. This
is mostly due to the reason that I just didn't care for Bert McCracken.
However, once I did listen to them I found out I loved their music, so I
was excited when we received this release from the record company to review.
There was one small catch. You see the CD has a protection program on it
so I wouldn't be able to upload the music. The side effect to the protection
is that I couldn't play the CD on my computer at work or in my car, both
of which are my prime music listening area's and where I review all of my
music. What I ended up having to do is get a personal CD player so I could
listen to the music. The whole thing is frustrating and the reason it's
taken me so long to review this release.
So what do I thing of Lies for the Liars? It's freakin' great. The music seems more intense compared to earlier releases and is the perfect anchor for McCraken's in your face vocals. This is one of those rare releases where I can listen to over and over again from start to finish. (Too bad I can't play it on my car stereo because that means that I won't be able to.)
"The Ripper" gets things started with a hard rock catchiness that just
pulls you in. "The Worm and the Bird" has a Tim Burton creepiness
to it that all the Goth and Emo heads have got to love. "Paralyzed" reminded
me of earlier more playful releases by the band. This is just another solid
CD from a band who I am now a fan of.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
Used Alien Mind - Positive Mental Theme - CD
(Zonked Records) "Positive Mental Theme" is positively pure, unadulterated
mindmush. Mike Leporte wrote, performed, recorded and mixed this album and
wasn't very skilled at any of the tasks. This attempt at unique spacy electronic
rock type music was really difficult for me to listen to. All of the songs
have this repetitious, obnoxious music and the lyrics have no rhythm. To
top it all off, the vocals are horrid! It is a good thing I am not sucidal,
because this may have thrown me over the edge.
As a general rule, I try to be optimistic and look at the potential that a band might show. I just can't do it this time. I will say, though, that the cover is pretty cool with what looks like a neat little radio type contraption. It made me think the CD inside of it would actually be good. It sure fooled me.
I have thought of one use for this album... a torture method in war. Well, nevermind, I guess that would violate the Geneva Convention human rights agreement.
Mike Leporte should just find something else to do with his life. There
has to be something he can do better than this.
-- Lola (2006)
Used Alien Mind - The Placement Aside - CD
(Zonked Records)
A few tracks of sonic noodling are interesting, but a whole CD of the stuff
is a bit too much. You guessed it, a CD full of sonic noodling with spoken
word vocals. I just lost interest because the songsstartedtoallblendtogether.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
UsherHouse - UsherHouse - demo tape
(Lens Records) I
like this very much! It has an old school Gothic feel to it. Reminds me
of early Bauhaus, Tones On Tail, Roz William's
Christian Death, even Dead Can Dance.
This tape contains a song called "Monkey Strange" which goes well
with my silly simian fetish (E.E.Monkey Publications). I keep seeing songs
or even band names with the word "monkey" in the titles / names.
Weird! Plus, you can't fail to impress me with a name like UsherHouse,
which seems to be drawn from a short story by one of my favorite
fiction writers, Edgar Allan Poe. This is a recording from back in
1991 so it's a bit dated, but I understand that the band has more recently
released a few albums with Cleopatra Records and are still progressing.
I look forward to hearing more UsherHouse.
-- Tom CoreKill (2001)