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Ugly Review

Chris Kaetzel | Goshen, Ohio | 07/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"LOA's Ugly is incredible. It's not as good as River Runs Red, but it's really close. Ugly goes in a different direction. This CD is much more about Keith's home life of his mom's suicide and his dad's negligence and such. If you liked RRR, I greatly recommend Ugly.Seasons-This song fades in, which is cool since it's an opener. This song is about Keith's desire to reunite with this father.I Regret-Although this song might seem kind of boring and repetitive at first, but trust me, it will grow on you. This is about things that Alan regrets and things he wish he could take back.Lost at 22-This is just about Alan's feelings at the age he was at when they were writing. He's unsure about the direction his life is going. It's kind of negative, but more informative.Other Side of the River-Although they lyrics were written by Alan, they definintly meant to come out of Keith's mouth, because it's about his mom's suicide. This song is so awesome and Kieth puts so much passion into this song. It gives me chills when he comes back in with "You were such in a rush to reach the other side/Now look at yourself with that look in your eye" There is just so much emotion.Let's Pretend-This song is sooooo good, and sad. It's about Keith's mom's suicide. The chorus is "But sometimes I like to pretend/That she knows me/That she holds me/I guess I can't because she doesn't know who I am" Those are some seriously deep lyrics.Ugly-This song was written by Alan and how he may be the source of all of his problems. This is a more faster song, relateable to Through and Through from RRR.Drained-This opening riff is so good, and a little side note, if you are a guitar player, learn that riff. I think Alan really brings something up that no one else has ever had the balls to say. Overall, it's about staying true to yourself, but one of the lyrics is "But you know that you need them so you continue to feed them/So I hope that you're in this for all the right reasons". It's kind of a "Evil wouldn't be evil if there was no good" kind of statement.How Would It Be-My favorite song on Ugly. This song is so good, and I hold back tears everytime I listen to it. Kieth talks about his mom's suicide. He begins thinking of how life would be if his mom was still around. This is such a good song.Unstable-This song is really personaly to me. It's about a loved one that is lost to cancer, which I can relate to. Whether you can relate to it or not, it's an incredible song, my second-favorite song on the CD.Damned if I Do-This is about not being able to get ahead. Kind of a drag, but still heavy and a really good song.Fears-This is a really good song. It's about all the fears of growing up, but also how you have to accept them and turn them to your advantage and make best with what you have.Don't You Forget About Me-This is a cover and I'm outstaounded by how they made it good. The verse sounds really gothic, and the chorus is really upbeat and doesn't sound like LOA, but it's still really good.Overall, this CD is very good. If you liked River Runs Red, I greatly suggest this. And if you've never heard RRR, but it, then buy Ugly."

Life Of Agony

Maniac Killer | Olds, Alberta, Canada | 06/01/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Second Album from LOA is a little softer, but it seems to have the same feeling as the fist. I think that LOA was one of the best band out there ever. Buy this album, you won't regret it."

AMERICAN BEAUTY!

M. Cook | Australia | 04/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album never grows old or tired. Where River Runs Red was like a panther that had sprung from it's cage to maul you unmercifully, Ugly was the other panther that knew when to wait and gauge it's prey before going in for the kill. In short, they're both effective and brutal, but of the two, Ugly is the more measured and thoughtful album. And I LOVE RRR, so don't get me wrong.

Every time I listen to Ugly, I'm struck by how vulnerable and raw Keith's voice sounds. It's his voice that really marks LOA as a band above their peers. No grunts, screams or squeals for this band! Just honest, bold emotion.

Anyone who lumps LOA in with the grunge set misses the point. Listening to Keith sing on songs like "Let's Pretend" , "How It Would Be" and "Unstable" draws me into the song every time. Another reviewer referred to his vocals as being[..]. Ignorance immediately sprung to my mind in regard to this review. Allow me to heartily recommend Propagandhi's "Refusing To Be A Man" or "Less Talk, More Rock" from their "Less Talk..." CD to help you with such innadequacy issues. And yes, that's sarcasm in case you didn't notice.

[...]

It gets me how Jonathan Davis of Korn "broke down and cried" about being molested as a kid on "Daddy" from their debut and how many people thought he was so sincere and brave - and it turned out he was singing about someone who lived DOWN THE STREET! And then Keith writes/sings about real issues that he LIVED THROUGH and he's called a [..] and a grunge clone. I guess it's a sad indication of how easily led and fed today's MTV coddled audience is (For proof, check out another Propagandhi track, "Back To The Motor League" from "Todays Empire, Tomorrows Ashes").

Oh, well, you either "get it" or you don't.

For those of you out there who love great vocals and thoughtful lyrics and want to be moved by an album, then, please, buy this album and the follow-up, Soul Searching Sun. You'll discover that which the loyal throng of LOA fans have known all along.

Prepare to be blessed!"