Matt H. from COLUMBIA, MO Reviewed on 8/14/2006...
St. Louis band. Great heavier ska
CD Reviews
Why This Band Wasn't Considered Among The Elite Remains A My
Fork Then Spoon | Bayonne, New Jersey | 06/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Urge's 1998 release "Master Of Styles" delivers a hard-hitting pure rock sound accompanied by jazz, ska and hip hop elements. The word "flawless" comes to mind at the thought of 12 solid tracks that display originality and creativity all polished by Steve Ewing's amazing vocals. Though none of the tracks could be considered a "filler," if I had to choose the album's weakness, it would be within the song "Identity Crisis." Even "Gene Machine," a cover of an old Bad Brains' song, is quite impressive. Highlights of the album include: "If I Were You," "Straight To Hell," "Played Out," "Closer," "Going Down" and "Prayer For Rain." I would strongly consider these 6 songs for a top 50 songs of all time list! PTMFUS!"
Great stuff from a great band!
keyblader4life | Columbia, MO | 09/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm new to listening to rock, but I remembered having this CD a long time ago, but something happened to it, so I ordered it again. The Urge has a really great sound to them, a sort of alternative rock/ska sound with a touch of jazz on some songs due to the trombones added. Favorites have to be: Jump Right In, Played Out, My Apology, Divide and Conquer, and Prayer for Rain. The whole CD seems to flow together, sans for three songs that are considerably heavier rock than the others (Straight to Hell, S.L.O.B, and Gene Machine), but those are still done quite well and are just those types of songs to amp you up for a fun event. Definitely recommend this CD for Urge fans, or fans or alternative rock."
Why This Band Was Not Considered Among The Elite Remains A M
Fork Then Spoon | Toms River, NJ USA | 06/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Urge's 1998 release entited "Master Of Styles" delivers a hard-hitting, pure rock sound accompanied by jazz, ska, reggae and hip hop elements. The 12 solid tracks on this album is the band's most accomplished and effective collection of songs to date. Below, please find the rating for each song individually:
If I Were You - 10/10
Straight To Hell - 10/10
Jump Right In - 9/10
S.L.O.B. - 7/10
Played Out - 10/10
Closer - 10/10
Gene Machine {Bad Brains Cover} - 8/10
My Apology - 8/10
Divide And Conquer - 8/10
Identity Crisis - 7/10
Going Down - 10/10
Prayer For Rain - 10/10"
Shape Shifter
Corey Turner | Florida | 12/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Funk plain out funk.You can here the wow wow pedals and the funkafied riffs.The songs are so stunning.The first song is a shape shifter "If I Were You" sounds like Funk,Rock,and Jazz.
They throw in trumpets into a heavy song and it sounds good.This offers such a diverse set of songs.They are all great.
"Master Of Styles" has a soundgarden meets rap feeling.Other times it has its own unique sound.You can easily tell this band apart from other imataters.The guitar is very dark in some songs and others it's heavy and fun(soft twangs in others).Some songs sound like they originated from Mexico.
"Straight To Hell" seems ghetto and is.This album tries out so many ideas searching for its own sound,and it found its own sound bassically anything.This delivers I say this is a great buy,but not a must have.The energy given off seems so mixed it will catch nearly anyones attention."