Search - Mu330 :: Ultra Panic

MU330's most mature album is also its most "ska" album

The Judge of the Value of all Enter | Area | 02/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a pretty neat trick for MU330 to have pulled - while most of my favorite ska bands remained interesting on their later releases by becoming "rock with horns" (Reel Big Fish, Spring Heeled Jack, Slow Gherkin), usually to great-sounding results, MU330, a band whose self-titled album sometimes sounded like Weezer with horns, went in the opposite direction -and still sound better than they ever have. I feel bad agreeing with an observation made by an All Music Guide critic, but when you're right you're right. They retained the two-trombone sound and Dan's slightly "emo" vocals, but the drums, bass, and guitar have shifted into what I like to call "hyperska" mode, for the most part.

Through 17 songs mostly full of upstrokes on the guitar and downbeats on the drums, I never get bored listening to this. MU330 didn't lazily stretch out 10 or 11 formulaic 3-to-4 minute songs that went hook-verse-chours-verse-chorus-bridge-chours -- some of these songs are as short as 45 seconds to a minute and a half, and are still catchy as heck to the point where I want to listen to them two or three times in a row. You really get a good value with 17 quality songs! The lyrics are probably better than previous mu330 CDs, and are quite funny on "Raw Fish," "KKK Highway," and "Hi My Name Is John," a punk song about a 7th-grader who downloaded a lot of mu330 songs on Napster.

Truth be told, I find it confusing that fans dislike this CD. Bands are bound to evolve with each release, and all we can ask for is quality music, which this album delivers."

Don't listen to others, listen to your heart.

Ryan Gray | MA | 03/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No self respecting Ska fan could give this album less than five stars. Mu330 is a band that has produced nothing but excellent music, and their latest release is no exception. Don't listen to people who claim that `it sounds too much like their other stuff.' I don't know what you people expect of musical artists. If a band reinvents itself every album, you claim they sold out. If they stay the same, you claim they are running out of ideas. The simple truth is, this is an excellent Ska album from an excellent Ska band. Listen to it for yourself, and keep Ska alive."

Thats Mu330 for ya!

bob | philly, pa | 10/03/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Mu330 is an awesome band, they always put out great records that really never get old. Ultra Panic is a great album, but the only bad thing is that it sounds just like their other albums... i mean ALOT like their other albums. Most of songs have an almost hackneyed feeling to them. Dont get me wrong, its still awesome stuff, but i know they could do better. If you dont have "Crab Rangoon" or their self titled album, then get one of them."