Search - Ugly Kid Joe :: Menace to Sobriety

Menace rocks yer world

Paul Browne | England.....the hills. | 03/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"menace to sobreity: The 1995 release by the californian wacked out rockers was a good success but quickly swept under the rug by the press. Kerrang magazine in the week it was released hailed it as possibly the 'album of the year', but later on in the year, after mercury had not re - newed their deal, ugly kid joe lost their handsome amount of mtv airplay. Last i heard the album had sold over 500 000 copies. The album is approached differently than Americas Least Wanted, for starters it's a lot darker and has overtones of some well fuelled party sessions up in those santa barbarian moutains. Cleverly titled ' intro ' is exactly what it is, about 2 minutes of growling slow riffs, i like it. Brings us onto ' god ', questioning religious beliefs against some amazing drum signatures and awesomely fluent riffs. As the album draws you in with the agression, it also winds you down, with songs like 'cloudy skies' and ' slower than nowhere '. You then have ' milkmans son' the single that was lifted off the album, it has a great great melody and sway chorus. This has got to be one of the finest rock/metal songs you'll ever hear, after 3 listens i was completely in awe of the bands musical vision. It's definitely heavy. And cuts out the ' cat's in the cradle ' market, but you'd be a fool not buy it.....i recommend indeed"

Most likely the best hard rock album of the nineties.

Paul Browne | 12/25/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ugly Kid Joe has a defined hard rock, guitar-based sound that beautifully rounds the edges off a Black Sabbath-esqe sound and forms an unbelievable album from doing so. Possibly the most under-rated album from possibly the most under-rated band, Menace to Sobriety has everything a true, rock-lover would want: hard, creative, punchy riffs; the unique, wide-range, definition-of-rock-voice of Whit Crane; and a loud, tight, and deep bottom from the drums and bass. You truly must hear this to be genuinely amazed at what these five guys can do with their instruments."

A Great CD

Michael Gerstbrein | Iowa City, IA United States | 05/12/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ugly Kid Joe made their name with goofy, jokey, lightweight metal/pop and scored a few catchy hits with the likes of "Neighbor," "Busy Bee," an ill-advised karaoke cover of Harry Chapin's "Cat's In The Cradle," and of course, what came to be their signature tune, "(I Hate)Everything About You." They gathered many fans but never seemed to raise themselves above being a somewhat pleasant novelty band. With "Menace To Sobriety," they showed signs that they wanted to take steps to be considered something a little more serious and substantial. Although their bratty humor is still plenty evident in tunes like "Milkman's Son" and "Jesus Rode A Harley," they show a surprising blistering intensity on "Clover" and the thoughtful "Tomorrow's World" which boded well for their future. This is by far their most varied and sharp-edged album and it's a shame they weren't able to hold together for more, being dropped by their label shortly after this was released. "Menace To Sobriety" is a fitting swan-song to the band and one the more under-rated discs of the late-90s."