Customer Reviews

Deuce

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In 2001, a new metal band hit the scene with a different take on the whole concept of what heavy metal in the new millennium is all about. They were groove rock but not rap rock, they were melodic yet not overly pop, they had screaming vocals by a hair band singer, and blazing guitar solos that would make even Angus Young cream his pants. In other words, it kicked some serious ass and as a result, it was buried by the corporate machine to ensure the last few years of Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit's popularity because they clearly would be shown up by a band that actually does get it.
After the Warner Brothers/AOL merger, the promotion behind their self titled debut record was virtually swept under the carpet and the album, while receiving some air play, did not crack the surface of mainstream publicity as much as it should have.
That said, you can't stop metal and the boys are back in 2005 with their sophomore record properly titled "Deuce."
The landscape of music has changed some since 2001. Rap rock is out, Tylenol PM induced boring punk pop is in, and there is a very small movement of loud guitar driven metal that still gets attention such as Velvet Revolver and, though I'm not a fan, Shinedown. Needless to say, "Deuce" is more towards the latter.
As a matter of fact, a few songs are very Guns N' Roses/Velvet Revolver sounding such as Unforgiven. That is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination. It just illustrates that there is a movement going on out there that is getting very little attention. And why would it? We can't have Jimmy Eat World out back eating cardboard when the world finds out they are talentless hacks, can we?
What I like best about the record is the attitude. For a while there, confusing the hell out of true rockers everywhere, the rock attitude was "I hate my mommy" and "I think I'll cry even though I'm rich and married to a beautiful woman." That still is the case on radio pop rock today. That is NO the case on this record. And, this album's attitude is illustrated on the very first track, "Anyone." The lyrics to the chorus are, "I don't want to be just like anyone, I don't want to be just like you." Daring to be different? Can we still do that in rock 'n' roll?
The attitude continues with "Never." Cool effects are used on this song that for some reason remind me of a Lita Ford song though the title of that song escapes me.... It also reminds me a bit of Judas Priest's 1988 hit "Turbo Lover" in the effect. But, the song itself is very different than both before mentioned songs. This is mildly angry which is okay in moderation. I dig it because I think every true metal head has had a significant other try to change them out of their metal garb and their taste in music. Hell, this may as well be my theme song. Lyrics include, "I'll never do what you want me to do. I'll never be what you want me to be. I'll never be what you want to see."
"Straight to Hell" rocks. It's just a fast rocker that really hits the spot. The same can be said of "Superfly" though Superfly seems to have a little more kick behind it. I'll credit Jimmy Snuka for that... Shout out to my wrestling friends who actually got that one!
There is a softer side to the album as well. "I won't be the One" is a ballad which closes out the record. I don't care for this track all that much as it is just too weak and modern for my taste. Tommy Russell, the drummer, really earns his money on that cut... Not once does he hit a drum. In other words, it's like "Simple Kind of Man" that gets shoved down our throats which makes us ponder if Shinedown actually has a drummer or not.
But let not your heart be troubled. Most of the songs on this record are fantastic. My favorite? Well, thank you for asking! I dig "Freedom." It just has a great vibe to it and the lyrics kick my ass. "I am freedom, I last a lifetime. There's nothing like me, I'm one of a kind." I dig that!
Lets talk bottom line. Is the record good? The short answer is yes, it is very good. It's got great and diverse vocals from one of metal's unsung vocal heroes Joe Leste with great lyrics, musicianship, and killer guitar solos. Is it perfect? Honestly, it isn't. It's a great record but perhaps my ripe age of 24 is showing when I almost feel at some point in the record that the sound may have been even a little too heavy for me. Perhaps the drumless wonder that is "I Won't be the One" should've been placed somewhere towards the middle of the record to break the chaos for a second. It's wonderful but a little break from the madness would've made it perfect.
That said, I encourage those of you who like this record to also pick up Joe Leste's other band, Bang Tango's "Ready to Go." What a fantastic album that is. If you want the melodic rock with more ballads, that album is for you. I'm not sure which one I like better. But, I'm certainly sure I like "Deuce!"

Some of you kids may still be stuck in that rut where I was just a few years ago. You know, where it sounds like the whole rock and roll scene is a bunch of pussies who do nothing but bitch and complain. I know, I know, it's tough out there, especially the Junior High kids who think they have heroes, until they realize that those heroes are a bunch of pole riders. WHAT? THERES NO CRYING IN ROCK AND ROLL! You know it, I know it... the music industry doesn't. Radio still pumps out mundane cry baby bands all the time. They pretty much own the airwaves, as they have for almost a decade. Who REALLY thinks this stuff is cool?
Now, kids... check these guys out BEAUTIFUL CREATURES. This album is the second from these guys, it is AWESOME, and you will NEVER hear it on the radio. This is straight up rock and roll, whiskey drinkin', metal driven rock and roll. Nobody's crying about how mommy was too hard on them. This is booze, chicks, partying late, and more booze. You cats think you can handle it? GREAT!
The first album (self titled) is completely pisser too! It was released in 2001 and also go ZERO recognition.. I think you will be as confused as me if you hear it.
This album (DEUCE) was released in the U.S last summer at which point I had already obtained a copy via a friend of mine who got in in Japan where it had already been out for months.. AND gets extensive radio play, so I've come to understand. What is wrong with this world?
If you like your rock a little hairy, but with a ton of balls, and a heavy sound for todays youth, you will not regret it. I sware, if people followed THIS direction, Rock and Roll would be on a whole new war path and ACE would surely be gettin' kicked all around. Until then, I guess we'll all keep going to psychiatrists and wondering why daddy didn't love us. Just don't write any more "rock" songs about it, please.

It's tough for me to say whether I like Deuce better than the self/titled album - there's elements of both albums that I dig the hell out of, which makes it damn difficult for me to attempt to choose one over the other if I were required to. Regardless, Deuce lives up to everything I'd been expecting and waiting so long for.

There's definitely a certain raw, edgy feeling to this album - not quite as "crisp" and "perfected" as the first album, and in a lot of ways I absolutely love the way this album sounds. This will end up being another one of those albums where my favorite song ends up changing on a near-daily basis, but as I write this, I seem to be hooked on 'Save Me' more than anything else. It has a strong & solid riff throughout, and is kept together by a Kenny Kweens bass groove that hits in all the right ways (and took out one of my car speakers). There's a lot of the lyrical content of "I Still Miss You" that has gotten deep into me and hits home. Absolutely beautiful.

Much like the self-titled album had its minor soft moments in the form of 'Wish and 'Time And Time Again', Deuce has as well. "The Unknown" is a soothing interlude (instrumental) between tracks, much like "Cry No More" from the self-titled L.A. Guns album - a very peaceful and relaxing piece. On the same note, "Starr Cross" is another track that begs for the lighters to be broken out and raised up high. "I Won't Be The One" is a nice little soft spot which segways into the eventual hard-hitting "Straight To Hell", with nothing no percussion of any sort - just a clean guitar and vocals.

All in all, Deuce is a strong album - not only for a follow-up, but stands alone on its own very well.

The Creatures are back with a great 2nd album, following their killer self-title debut. Rock n' roll in the vein of Guns n' Roses...but made in the 21st century? Oh, Hell yeah! This band is one of the few that keep any hope alive in my cold, black heart that music isn't all bad these days. If you're a fan of good, driving, hard rock with great riffs, soaring solos, and those gritty vocals that made bands like AC/DC, GNR, and Motorhead sound so filthy good, then you'll love this band. The BEST thing to happen in music, and it's been a long time comin'!

Beautiful Creatures 'Deuce' was released in the US on August 23, 2005 through Eagle/Spitfire. Before that, it had an early 2005 release in Japan through JVC. The norm with import albums is that they contain bonus tracks not found on the US version and often have lyrics in the booklet, where the US pressing might not.

For an extensive review of the actual album, there are plenty available for the US version. What follows is a side-by-side comparison between this Japanese copy and the later US release.

It starts with the running order. The tracklisting on this import is significantly different than the US version of 'Deuce.' The songs were later shuffled around when it was released in the United States. The only real constant is that the first single, "Anyone", still opens the album. See below for the track listing of this copy.

Frankly, Spitfire did a much better job with the tracklisting. The sequence of the songs on the US copy makes for a more enjoyable listening experience than the import, even though it is still the same songs. Having them come in the right order makes all the difference in the world.

The other difference comes in the song selection. A pair of ballads listed here, "I still miss you" and "Starr Cross", did not make it onto the US copy. However, when 'Deuce' was released in the states, the band went back into the studio and replaced those two songs with two faster hard rock songs, "Brand New Day" and "Thanks", which do not appear on the import version (reviewed here). While opinions may vary, mine is that the ballads are not really missed. The two rock songs that replace them are both driving numbers and makes the album sound a lot better, overall.

One other difference is in the song, "Straight to Hell." The US copy has a shorter version of the track than you will find here.
This version includes a longer intro, which the band does live, that slowly builds up. The intro is cool to listen to, but it gets to be excessively long with repeated listens. Sometimes less is more and the song sounds better on the US version of 'Deuce' than it does here.

The final difference is in the band lineup and the album booklet. The lyrics are printed in Japanese and English. The band credited on this import includes Glen Sobel (drums) and Alex Grossi (guitar), who are pictured on this copy but were later replaced by Mark Simpson (guitar) and Tim Russell (drums). Sobel and Grossi played on every song from 'Deuce' (Japan). Simpson and Russell joined prior to the US release and were in the band for the recording of the songs, "Brand New Day" and "Thanks" (US version). Simpson and Russell are pictured in the US copy, though Grossi and Sobel are credited for their contributions.

Is this a necessary purchase? For the right price, it is. A new or casual fan is better off with the US release. In fact, if you do not have a copy of this album period, go with the later US version. It isn't often that the US copy is better than the Japanese import. However, if you want to hear the extra tunes (#8 and #10 below), they are good. No matter what you do, you will be missing out on two songs either way, unless you get both copies. It is simply a question of if you want more rockers or more ballads. The band can write a good ballad. This would certainly be necessary for a Beautiful Creatures completist or an import junkie. In my opinion, the two rock songs that replaced the ballads for the US version are superior. The album itself is strong, with or without the ballads. Either version comes recommended to a hard/heavy rock fan. If you liked the first Beautiful Creatures effort, 2001's self-titled release, then you will enjoy this one a lot.

1. Anyone
2. Freedom
3. Never
4. Superfly
5. Empty
6. The Unknown
7. Ton Of Lead
8. I Still Miss You
9. Unforgiven
10. Starr Cross
11. Save Me
12. I Won't Be The One
13. Straight To Hell

THIS CD IS FULL OF CHUNKY RIFFS AND ANTHEM LIKE ROCKERS, if you liked or loved the first b.c. cd you`re gonna love this one!1 it`s a bit heavier and the production is awsome that`ll make your speakers melt, if this cd don`t put these boys on the top, at least it should get the recognition they so much deserve!! with songs like "superfly",anyone","never"& " freedom should get you pulse poundin` &ready to have a few cold ones!!









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Deuce is a hard rocking head smashing ride, and i love it.I was a little worried when i heard that dj ashba had left the band,but all fears have been laid to rest.Beautiful creatures is the best band to come along in a long time now.I love the first album and i have to say i think that deuce is even better.You will not be sorry getting this album. If you love good hard rock and roll then deuce is what you are looking for.

No other way to say it, this album rocks! What a rock-n-roll band is supposed to be. Combines the best of 80's metal and today's energy and growl - AWESOME! Great job guys! Two fingers & a thumb way up! -\__/

For those who say this album is the same as the last one, GOOD!
That's called integrity, I could listen to the BC album all day long, and sure this is in the same vein but it ain't identical.
Just can't wait for them to tour europe. ROCK.

Loved the Bang Tango - Save Me is a solid rock tune. That's not worth the price of a CD though. Other songs area weak filler. Buy a Daughtry CD instead.