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The Uglysuit - The Uglysuit

Album Reviews

Experimentation adds up to an enjoyable and varied album.

The Uglysuit - The Uglysuit Oklahoma City's The Uglysuit rarely finish a song where they start it, and that experimentation adds up to an enjoyable and varied album that is ultimately highly listenable and quite absorbing. This relatively young six-piece band has some wide-ranging influences, and aren't afraid to indulge all of them, often over the course of only one song. And that leads to some beautiful moments, like the Beach Boy's-esque coda to 'Brad's House', and the knowing nod to both the music and hometown of Wilco on 'Chicago'. The band, who've been playing together since they were teenagers, are extremely tight musically, and seamlessly handle the changes in chords and tempos that are featured in all of their songs, which makes for a very cohesive record despite the mixed bag of music found within.

'Everyone Now Has A Smile' is another standout from the album, with its easy transition from loud rock to atmospheric, blissed-out pop over the course of the song's seven minutes. The Uglysuit make music that truly elevates the listener, no rare feat in this day and age, and while some of their songs border on jam-band melodies, their music remains innovative and modern enough to not fall into that trap, and often switch gears before the flower girls can get to dancing. There is an energy that is inherent in the music of The Uglysuit, and that is what the listener can get swept away in. This is the sound of a band that has some truly original material that they are thrilled to be playing, a group that's genuinely trying to make the most of the opportunity they've worked so hard for, and this album reflects that passion and focus, even while their music remains untethered and free. Rating: 7/10

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