LIFE OF AGONY • Ugly • LP

Music On Vinyl
Reissue
Turquoise Vinyl, limited to 1.500 copies

"Ugly" is Life Of Agony's second album, was produced by Steve Thompson and marked a departure from the hardcore and metal sounds that still defined the 1993 debut. The band left the gang vocals behind and let Keith (now Mina ) sing "properly". His new vocal style was emotional and more in keeping with the sound of the era - and the album.

Opener "Seasons" is a strong example of the new sound, as Keith's vocals gently lay over the music, reaching more and more high notes in the second, heightened half. "I Regret," "Damned If I Do" and "Fears" feature the band's characteristically fat riffs. "Lost At 22" and "How It Would Be" are deep, "Drained" showcases the hooks and "Let's Pretend" is a ballad dedicated to Keith Caputo's mother, who died shortly after his birth.

The album ends with the Simple Minds cover "Don't You Forget About Me," which was certainly partly responsible for the trend on Roadrunner Records of hard bands playing pop cover versions. A classic of the nineties!