I was a lukewarm fan in the early 90’s. I had Supersonic Storybook and enjoyed it, especially Side 1, which is flawless. I like Stull, minus the first song, which later became a hit on a famous movie soundtrack. I ignored Saturation when it came out, because they jumped to a major and I was puritanical (unless an album really really really blew my mind, ie Rid Of Me). For some reason, I queued up UO while driving to the hardware store last weekend, and, to quote FM Kerble, it “sheered my tits off.”
I’ve been listening to them all week. Nash Kato is such a good guitar player. I think back to when I saw them in 91. Maybe if they weren’t wearing those stupid costumes, I might’ve taken them more seriously. Now, 30+ years in the rearview, I find myself taking them very seriously. Great band.
I’m sure there’s an OG c/nc, but this is the latter day UO c/nc.
Re: Band: Urge Overkill
2Not crap, too many good songs scattered through their records.
That said, I don't listen to them nowadays.
Nash Kato solo record I enjoyed it back in the day.
My fave songs off the albums were written by E. Roeser, normally.
That said, I don't listen to them nowadays.
Nash Kato solo record I enjoyed it back in the day.
My fave songs off the albums were written by E. Roeser, normally.
Re: Band: Urge Overkill
3Tough.
That run of records from Supersonic... to Exit... is mildly enjoyable, w/ Stull (no filler) or Saturation (triumphant sheen, def one of the few indie bands who successfully upgraded on a major from that era) finding them at their best.
Nothing too deep, but Cheap Trick colliding w/ the Stones at their most defanged works (in the monent) for me on a few songs.
Problems: the 90s irony / insincerity vibe GRATES and it's in service of a milquetoast level of debauchery: more pseudo 70s b-film soundtrack than an actual 70s porno film soundtrack.
Also, live footage shows they could NOT do it on the stage, which makes me think there was a lot of work behind the scenes to make those records what they were.
So IMO the little substance present is ultimately pretty shallow and kinda timid. Turns out posing and performance ain't the same craft in the long run.
Thus: CRAP.
That run of records from Supersonic... to Exit... is mildly enjoyable, w/ Stull (no filler) or Saturation (triumphant sheen, def one of the few indie bands who successfully upgraded on a major from that era) finding them at their best.
Nothing too deep, but Cheap Trick colliding w/ the Stones at their most defanged works (in the monent) for me on a few songs.
Problems: the 90s irony / insincerity vibe GRATES and it's in service of a milquetoast level of debauchery: more pseudo 70s b-film soundtrack than an actual 70s porno film soundtrack.
Also, live footage shows they could NOT do it on the stage, which makes me think there was a lot of work behind the scenes to make those records what they were.
So IMO the little substance present is ultimately pretty shallow and kinda timid. Turns out posing and performance ain't the same craft in the long run.
Thus: CRAP.
Re: Band: Urge Overkill
4Imho Steve's recording job on Supersonic Storybook is incredible. Big, beautiful, shimmery. If they couldn't do it live that's too bad, but the Beatles' later stuff was also a studio creation. I must give the band a NC.
Re: Band: Urge Overkill
5I'm listening to Exit the Dragon for the first time in many many years. This is a great record. Reminds me of Cheap Trick. Just fun, quality rock and roll.
Re: Band: Urge Overkill
6I love Exit the Dragon and feel like it has a loose, weary and emotionally open quality that the earlier stuff lacked.InMySoul77 wrote: Mon May 08, 2023 5:41 am I'm listening to Exit the Dragon for the first time in many many years. This is a great record. Reminds me of Cheap Trick. Just fun, quality rock and roll.
Re: Band: Urge Overkill
7I liked them when I was a teenager.
Saw them live. As a fan, was trying to convince myself that they were better than they were, but remembering it now, I don't think they were very good.
Haven't really thought of them much since then. I think I need to revisit those records again before voting.
Saw them live. As a fan, was trying to convince myself that they were better than they were, but remembering it now, I don't think they were very good.
Haven't really thought of them much since then. I think I need to revisit those records again before voting.
jason (he/him/his) from volo (illinois)
Re: Band: Urge Overkill
9Not even in the same universe as early Cheap Trick but might resemble the bringing-on-outside-writers-latter-career Cheap Trick. UO were mostly inept at writing a catchy hook and their lyrics were dumb as they come. They were, at best, a more manicured version of the nostalgia-prone rock bands of the time a la The Fluid. They always had the whiff of cut-out bin fodder around them even when Albini was singing their hosannas. Crap.
Re: Band: Urge Overkill
10It's extra embarrassing when a band so badly craves lasting fame but doesn't quite get there. I'm sure they'll be rocking Sister Havana at some county fairs this summer. Crap.