Search - Ugly Duckling :: Bang for the Buck

I think I gotta hit ya like SMACK!

E. Ahn | Atlanta, GA | 06/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Say you got three white guys from Long Beach in a hip hop group, one of whom is a DJ who wears a big dookie gold neck chain, and whose music sports a catalog of songs about not cursing on the mic, being nice and respectful to women, a fictional fast food restaurant that serves liquified meat, and dreams about cartoon characters. Chances are you'd probably think it was pretty lame. And that's ok, but since their debut EP, it doesn't seem like Ugly Duckling really cares. They're too busy making some of the most consistently great golden era hip hop to really listen to any complaints.



Bang for the Buck is a culmination of why every Ugly Duckling album has been great. It combines the playfulness of Journey to Anywhere, with the themes and production style of Taste the Secret, and the unflagging dedication to old school hip hop of Fresh Mode. Only, it sounds different...and better. Maybe because DJ Young Einstein is on top of his game, making some of the most ridiculously layered beats. Just have a listen to the organ-punched beat of "Yudee" or the drums on "Einstein's On Stage" (with a nice Gangstarr shout out). Maybe it's because Dizzee has stepped his game up by leaps and bounds ever since the Combo Meal EP, with stellar verses on "Left Behind" and "Andy vs. Dizzy". Maybe it's because Andy Cooper is still the anchor that he's always been, throwing out some great bars on the single "Smack!" and the title track. But something about this album manages to click, bringing together all the reasons you love UD, and leaving out all the reasons you may not (e.g. the God references, excessive goofiness, kitschy gimmicks to end the songs, excessive interludes).



But from the moment you hear the gunshot of "Bang for the Buck" until the bouncingly epic final track, "The End of Time", Ugly Duckling takes you a ride that rarely lets up, turning the other cheek to any of the naysayers and pledging their dedication to the playful and childlike glee that comes with hearing your first hip hop record. Listen close enough, and it may rub off on you too."

Dope!!

Daniel S. Martinez | Los Angeles, CA USA | 06/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of their most recent albums, Ugly Duckling doesn't fail with bringing hot break beats, jazzy sounds and sick lyrics. All of the songs are good on this album. If you like their older stuff, you will like this too."