(Evilution)
If it seems like you just read a review on Ugly Kid Joe, you're probably right. Their 1995 release, Menace to Sobriety, was an above average release that seemed to go nowhere. Compared with the previous multi-platinum releases of the Ugly As They Wanna Be EP and the America's Least Wanted LP, Menace had some problems. The big sellers were heavily assisted by the powerhouse singles "Everything About You" and "Cat's In The Cradle" which peaked at #3 and #6 respectively on the Billboard singles chart. The short story here is the third album didn't do as well, UKJ left Mercury Records, and they began working in a garage studio on new music. Evilution Records is their own label which basically gave the guys a free hand. The result is Motel California.
Familiar name, right? UKJ likes those satirical twists. In the early days, they opened for headliners Pretty Boy Floyd. The permanent band name was born on that tour. Formed in California in 1989, the band has experienced some staff changes, but the major players have always been Whitfield Crane (vocals), Klaus Eichstadt (guitar), and Cordell Crockett (bass).
UKJ is now looking to re-establish themselves as a successful 90s rock band, and Motel California has a lot riding on it. The album is a mixture of heavy, raw, hard rock and rock with some lovely, delicate ballads. The band leads off the album with its heaviest tracks, and you might wonder if you've gotten the UKJ album in the player. "It's A Lie" and "Dialogue" are in your face - rocking hard with driving beats and raw lyrics. The remaining rockers are not as driving and of more interest to the general rock fan. A highpoint are the three ballads, "Would You Like To Be There", "Undertow", and "12 Cents". Crane has a wonderful voice, and he and the band deliver these perfectly.
Without the ballads, the album isn't a winner. Several songs have the same arrangement of talking leading into a crash of rock guitars. The strangest song on the album is "Message Saved" with the band playing and an answering machine tape running. The tape is so loud and distracting that the listener loses the music. Also, Crane's voice just doesn't seem suited to the Motorhead type of music at the beginning of the album. The lyrics don't seem to be anything special on a number of songs. In fact, it seems that the whole album could have used more time in creation and production. The band produced Motel California, and some more experienced help could have made a difference.
UKJ is a proven band, but on this album they seem to be flailing around looking for the way back. All bands need to grow and change, but some firm direction has to be set, and time has to be spent getting the new concept ready to go to the fans.
