LIFE OF AGONY – Ugly (Reissue) – LP – 180 Turquoise Coloured Vinyl

Description

LP – Limited Edition

Ugly is the second album released by the New York alternative metal band Life of Agony. Produced by Steve Thompson, the album signalled a considerable shift from the hardcore and groove metal sounds which defined their 1993 debut album. The band ditched the gang vocals and instead let Keith (now Mina) display his newly developed crooning. Minas new expressive style sounds more emotive and is perhaps more at heart with the eras alternative bands and it suits Ugly perfectly.

Musically, this album is a pretty interesting hybrid. The first half of the album opener Seasons shows Mina’s vocals glide quietly over the top, only to break into higher notes more frequently as the song progresses into the soaring second half. This opening track is a strong introduction to the bands new sound.

The album also features the band’s trademark pulverizing riffs as heard in I Regret, Damned If I Do and Fears, the gang vocals and double-kick drumming has been completely omitted. Songs like Lost At 22, and How It Would Be all feel profound. Drained shows the serious hooks and Lets Pretend is a ballad written to Minas mother who died shortly after his birth. The album ends with a rendition of Simple Minds Dont You Forget About Me that arguably kicked off the trend of Roadrunner bands doing novelty covers.

It unquestionably belongs in the collection of anyone who has a love for quality 90s-era alternative rock music. The uglier the better!

Ugly is available as a numbered limited edition of 1500 copies on turquoise coloured vinyl and includes an insert.

Tracklist:

SIDE A
1. Seasons
2. I Regret
3. Lost At 22
4. Other Side Of The River
5. Lets Pretend
6. Ugly

SIDE B
1. Drained
2. How It Would Be
3. Unstable
4. Damned If I Do
5. Fears
6. Dont You (Forget About Me)