Chicago’s Urge Overkill has been away a while in fact it’s a decade since we really heard anything from the pair but they’re about to put that to rights with the much-anticipated release of ‘Oui’ and its magnificent artwork. To be fair as soon as the needle dropped the artwork became a big part of the record and a painting certainly does paint a thousand words because this record is a beast.
Unfairly remembered by many as that band who did the cover of ‘ Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon’ but those who know simply know. They were much more than that (great tune and working of it as it was) the Grunge striding Rock of ‘Saturation’ was excellent (still is) and then ‘Exit The Dragon’ which saw the band call it a day for a while but with a varied catalogue of albums UO are a welcome return and its refreshing to hear a guitar album that’s just that – no tricks or gimmicks just great tunes recorded well and released in a timely undelayed fashion. Some might say a more mature-sounding band in 2022 but who cares, elder statesmen, survivers, rockers. It’s all good in my book and refreshing to hear a band just kick out the jams at their own pace in their own style.
Well, it’s been a while but Nash Kato and King Roeser are back in the groove with ‘Oui’, and what a return it is. Guitars are turned up and the pair sound right on it, enthused and full of energy ‘Oui’ is loud and focussed. There is a weird But here. The record does kick off in controversial style with a cover this time of the classic Wham! song ‘Freedom’ . Sure they give it the UO treatment and twist it to fit their style of old-school Radio friendly rock but I do wonder is it needed here? I’m not convinced (personally) but I’m happy to let it grow on me, besides it just sounds great to have a new UO record. Sure, it’s a great song – boundless energy and played with a cheeky playful smile but to open your first album in over a decade? Brave and controversial.
‘Necessary Evil’ is understated with cool hooks on the chorus with a finely distorted guitar chugging away under some smart licks and the vocals weave really well together to make for a great song. The tempo is maintained through the rockin’ ‘Follow My Shadow’. ‘How Sweet the Light’ has got a touch of the Who about it from the drum rolls to the building verses with some great drumming. ‘Forgiven’ has got an all-American riff that has been well worn by the likes of Mellencamp when he wanted a ‘Leg Up’ it’s a driving rhythm and the slightly croaky vocals work really well as the Blues are chased away.
It sounds like the band is enjoying writing and playing – there is no pretense or experimental moments just solid rock n roll Past Urge records always had at least one song where the band got silly or experimental. Here, it’s surprisingly focused. I do get the impression that this is a record that will continue to grow on me and moments where a fill changes the groove or tempo will jump out and prelong the journey which always makes for a slow-burning album that gets better with age.
Hopefully, ‘Oui’ will do well and people will lap it up and it won’t be another decade before we get another Urge Overkill record to champion.
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Author: Dom Daley
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