The Ugly Club — Sing What You Want

This six-piece New Jersey outfit describes itself as "Ray Charles meets Weezer meets The Beatles." While they do indeed have a unique style, these influences belie their very modern sound, at times reminiscent of the Arctic Monkeys and the Libertines. Comprising more traditional rock band components, The Ugly Club also includes a trumpet and a trombone, giving it the rare soul edge that lends a charismatic swing to a couple of the songs. If this five-track EP from the as of yet unsigned band is any indicator of their later work, I would expect The Ugly Club to have a bright future ahead. The opening track, "Claim Somebody," while perfectly acceptable, recalling earlier offerings from Rooney and Phantom Planet, doesn't fully represent the band's potential. It is the next song, "The Limbo of Sasha Ipei," a frenetic whirling dervish of raw guitar riff, brass and bass thudding a three note repetition and harmonising vocals that really... Read More »