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Urge Overkill – Oui

Florian Buechting Media Review No Comments

Urge Overkill - Oui

Urge Overkill - Oui
4

Rating

 4.0/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Versatile album
  • Nice blend between rock, alternative and Americana sounds

New riffs by Urge Overkill: ten years after their previous one, Rock & Roll Submarine, the US rockers release a new album. It is simply called Oui and the release date has been 11th February 2022, after the album was delayed by two weeks. Here is my review.

 

Urge Overkill – About The Artists

Urge Overkill are a Chicago-founded alternative rock band. They are nowadays a quartet consisting of Nathan Kaatrud (stage name Nash Kato, vocals & guitar), Eddie King Roeser (vocals, guitar, bass), Nate Arling (drummer) and Adam Arling. The first two have already been founding members of the band in 1986. Urge Overkill did have a hiatus between 1997 and 2004, though. The most successful time of the band was right before their temporary break-up, when two of their albums, Saturation (1993) and Exit the Dragon (1995) made it to the Top 20 of the Australian charts. Despite the long band history, Their biggest success was the 1994 single Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon, which has been used for the Pulp Fiction movie soundtrack. Despite the long band history, Oui is just the band’s seventh album release.

 

Urge Overkill – Oui – Track by Track

The twelve song album lasts 41 minutes.

1. Freedom!

The album starts with the George Micheal classic. It has also been the first single the band released from the new album. Good to start the album with familiar sounds – and indeed, the guys so a good job here.

2. A Necessary Evil

A Necessary Evil has been the second single release of Oui (after Freedom). A nice classic rocker with powerful riffs and  a lovely touch of 1970’s and 1980’s famous bands. Love to listen to that.

3. Follow My Shadow

Follow My Shadow sounds a bit more “dirty” and thus has a really nice alternative rock touch. A straight and good listen, which will also be a good option for future concerts. A nice soundtrack for your next road trip as well.

4. How Sweet The Light

Nash Kato’s style of singing on this song reminds me of Tom Petty – there is also quite an Americana rock touch in this song, which a bit more focusing on the lyrics – despite the nice instrumental coda.

5. I Been Ready

I Been Read is a rather mid-tempo, quite fluent song with nice work on the guitar. Nash Kato is using a raspier voice for this song. Nice song, even though the track feels a bit hidden after the energetic beginning of the album.

6. A Prisoner’s Dilemma

The key element of the sixth song is its strong groove, which partially even makes it feel like a blues rocker. Quite some work on the guitars and the bass in here. The background vocals feel a bit much to me, but overall, it is really a nice listen.

7. Forgiven

Forgiven joined the set of single releases in January 2022. A powerful song, which again has that strong street rock style. Even in your little Fiat, you will somehow feel like a damn cool Harley rider when you are listening to this song. One of my favorites on the album.

8. Totem Pole

Totem Pole is a nice blend between alternative sounds and Southern Rock. This also gives a nice drive a groove. If you like like some energetic bass picks, this song will definitely create that smile of happiness in your face while listening.

9. Litany

If you rather like powerful alternative rock sounds, Litany might be one of your favorite tracks of this album. The guitars are driving the song very well which some powerful bass work in the background. Enjoyable listen, indeed.

10. I Can’t Stay Glad@U

I like the contrast between the rather quick chorus with a nice, catching melody and the slowdown breaks in other parts of the song. There are also some nice instrumental parts, which overall lead to an entertaining listen.

11. Won’t Let Go

Won’t Let Go is one of the most catching songs of the album to me. I especially enjoy the work on the guitar, from hammering riffs to flowing melody lines. On the lyrics side, the song is indeed significantly weaker.

12. Snow

The album closes with its shortest track, Snow. Nice song with a good groove, not too special, though.

 

Urge Overkill – Oui – Spotify

Here is Oui on Spotify:

 

Urge Overkill – Oui – My View

Urge Overkill delivers a pretty solid album with a nice range of songs and some really good tracks. I really enjoyed the listen. The guys simply proof that they still know how to rock. If you like some more classic sounds with an alternative touch, this is indeed a good option.

 

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