Ugly Kid Joe has a winner with its new release Menace to Sobriety. If you're looking for variations on their big single "Everybody But You", this album isn't it. The band has matured, changed its style and some personnel. They *want* to distance themselves from their hit single off America's Least Wanted; the band calls this winner a novelty hit and urges you to check out the whole Ugly Kid Joe picture. Previous style might have been bubblegum rock with some thrash and metal - a style to please the beach bar and frat party crowd, but they've changed some. Ugly Kid Joe began life as a Black Sabbath cover band and they are reclaiming the hard rock, in your face roots.
Who are these guys? Ugly Kid Joe started to form in 1989 in Northern California and in two years they had a lineup to sign with Mercury and release a debut mini-album, As Ugly As They Wanna Be. "Everything About You" was lifted from this album and was found again on 1992's America Least Wanted. World tours opening for Def Leppard and Ozzy led to some personnel changes. Continuing with the band would be vocalist Whitfield Crane, guitarist Klaus Eichstadt and bassist Cordell Crockett. New recruits are drummer Shannon Larkin and guitarist David Fortman. Fortman has particularly contributed a professional, hard rocking influence.
Menace to Sobriety has a two minute instrumental introduction leaving no doubt the following tracks will not be "Everything About You". With the exception of "Cloudy Skies" and "Candle Song", the rest are really rockers - from the rabblerousing "God" to the menacing "10/10". The slower tracks are well positioned at the middle and end providing a much needed rest. "Tomorrow's World" has been released as a single. This track, indeed the entire album, showcases the excellent guitar playing. Drummer Larkin is also a standout. This band and this music will be great live - concert attendance is a must.
Menace to Sobriety is a chance to hear a polished band with a changed but firmly defined style. Ugly Kid Joe as a better, more mature band now but they still have their versatility. The hard rock base is there but they can rap, do sensitive, wistful songs and probably still play "Everything About You".
