Ugly (Life of Agony album)

Ugly
Studio album by Life of Agony
Released 1995
Recorded System Two, Brooklyn, NY
Genre Alternative metal
Length 53:10
Label Roadrunner
Producer Steve Thompson
Life of Agony chronology

River Runs Red
(1993)		 Ugly
(1995)		 Soul Searching Sun
(1997)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic link

Ugly[1] is the second album released by American alternative metal band Life of Agony. Ugly was a considerable shift in sound from the hardcore and groove metal sounds of their 1993 debut River Runs Red. Although it still featured the band's trademark and pulverizing riffs, ('I Regret', 'Damned If I Do', 'Fears') the gang vocals and pummelling double-kick drumming had been dropped, Caputo also opted for a cleaner vocal delivery - eschewing his previous baritone howl. Songs like 'Let's Pretend' and 'How It Would Be' display the album's more emotional turn and were written about Caputo's mother who had died when he was young. The opener, 'Seasons', was written about his relationship with his father. It was released in 1995 through Roadrunner Records (see 1995 in music). Sal Abruscato left the band after the album's tour in 1996, but later rejoined for their first reunion in 2002.

Reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic praised the album writing in his review "For listeners unaccustomed to blistering, noisy metal, Life of Agony will be agonizing. However, fans of the genre will find the band to be among the best of the mid-'90s, capable of spitting out razor-sharp riffs. What makes Ugly work is the band's grasp of sonic texture -- they can make even their quiet moments menacing."[2] Critically, the album performed well, but did not repeat the sales of River Runs Red - this can most likely be attributed to the album's considerable change in sound.

Track listing

No. TitleLyricsMusic Length
1. "Seasons"  Keith CaputoSal Abruscato, Caputo 5:41
2. "I regret"  Alan RobertRobert, Abruscato, Caputo 4:22
3. "Lost at 22"  RobertRobert, Abruscato 4:00
4. "Other side of the river"  RobertRobert, Joey Z. 4:06
5. "Let's pretend"  CaputoCaputo 4:02
6. "Ugly"  RobertRobert, Abruscato, Caputo 5:53
7. "Drained"  RobertRobert, Abruscato 4:11
8. "How it would be"  CaputoCaputo 4:36
9. "Unstable"  RobertRobert, Abruscato 4:32
10. "Damned if I do"  RobertRobert, Abruscato, Caputo 3:44
11. "Fears"  RobertRobert, Abruscato 2:41
12. "Don't You (Forget About Me)"  Keith Forsey, Steve SchiffForsey, Schiff 6:11

Personnel

Life of Agony
Additional musicians
Technical Personnel

References

  1. ↑ Ugly, catalog number RR.8924-2, barcode 016861892425
  2. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/ugly-mw0000178349
  3. ↑ Ugly, catalog number RR.8924-9, barcode 016861892494