Customer Reviews

Fresh Mode

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I had the opportunity to interview these guys for a campus paper a few years back, and trust me, they're not just some white guys trying be a part of this scene. Ugly Duckling has an old school throwback that's drawn comparisons between them and Jurassic 5. The only difference is that while J5 reminisces on the early 80's, the Native Tongues (esp De La Soul) influence in Ugly Duckling's music is pretty apparent. Young Einstein is one talented producer, definitely one to look out for in the future, and emcees Andycat and Dizzy approach the mic with a lighthearted demeanor that contrasts with today's thugged out hip-hop the same way that De La Soul's 3 Feet & Rising did back in 89. You probably won't find a cleaner album in the rap section of the store (one of Ugly Duckling's rules: don't curse). The only drawback is that some of the lyricism is a little corny (some people might call it weak) but if you're feigning for the old days, this album is a breath of fresh air.

The first time I put this on the deck I was blown away with the crisp jazz samples kinda reminding me of Low End period Tribe and the like. The 2 MCs flow in a non complicated yet refeshing style that is pure hod nod material. This album is absolutely superb, quality from end to end and the classic hip hop quotable "Do You Know What I'm Sayin" is awesome. As someone kinda said recently "Pretty Fly for White Guys" (sic). Not that it means too much but the cover is one of the best as well !

This album is one of the most refreshingly different albums I have heard in a long time. It shows that there is more to hip hop than talking about the clichéd themes that are in so much rap heard today. Don't get me wrong I listen to all sorts of music from Stevie Wonder and N.E.R.D to Ben Folds/Five and The Pixies, so I'm not saying that other rap artists aren't good, U.D are just a funny intelligent alternative. Finally, to 'a music fan from Harlem' a Tribe Called Qwest's "Low End Theory" is not the greatest album of all time but it is one of the best. If you were a true music fan you would respect U.D and A.T.C.Q for daring to do something different even if you didn't like it. Their music is not an imitation they are just influenced by other artists that they respect. You can appreciate good music with out loving it.

I'd just like to say that this probably is one of the greatest EP demo-ish cd's ever in the hip hop world. It's definitely up there with the jurassic 5 EP which is also amazing. It's actually different from journey and taste the secret. This album is much more jazz influenced. The first song is really focused on bass musically. It's a simple drum beat that's really smooth and relaxed, a really heavy yet calm and relaxed bass line. The lyrics just flow along perfectly in that ud way. The second track 'now who's laughing' is a really awesome song. the snare has that high lifted jazz sound and a piano looped that works really well. Of course the lyrics are really good, it's a more aggressive sounding sound, simply the way the lyrics are delivered, but it's still totally ud. Get on this is really cool. It has a jazz guitar sound to it that's looped and the drums have a cool 16th note high hat playing throughout, another smooth jazzy song. The bridge in this song is sooo f'in cool. It's just a musical bridge, not lyrically, but the guitar is really cool in that part. Einstein's takin off starts off sounding a bit ominous but then quickly gives way to the meat of the song. More energetic lyrics, not quite as laid back. An organ gets looped behind a jazzy xylophone and sounds a bit brazillian. This song showcases einstein's turntable abilities, although we all already know he's amazing on the tables. Everybody C'mon has a laid back breakbeat and a whirlitzer of all things looping. But it sounds really good and the lyrics are delivered extremely happily, not like the rest of their stuff isn't as well. But this is probably the most 'feel good' track here. Do You Know What I'm Sayin is probably the most jazzy track on here. The slightly late piano and stand up sounding bass sounds great. We're Here is my least favorite song on here. It's a little too slow for ud in my opinion, and a little dull. It's still a good song, and the lyrics are just as good, and some of the best. But musically it's not quite on the same level in my opinion.
This EP has some of my favorite ud songs, and i have all their stuff. It really is great, the whole jazz thing works really well for them. It goes without saying that andy and dizzy flow perfectly between eachother. basically, if you want real, good hip hop, pick this up immediately.

Einstein is the best producer in hip hop right now, using real samples and beats, unlike that fake keyboard wackness. Though many question the complexity of the lyrics, the emcees specifically made their lyrics easy to understand so the masses could feel it...trust me, I have all their demos and it is way to complex to even try and understand. You know they come off dope, so don't front, spend the measly $8 and sit back and remind yourself what real hip hop used to mean... Be on the lookout for the full length album, Down the Road, January 2000 on 1500 records..Blow it up hip hop heads, if we don't support the real stuff, all we will get is puffy and dmx

It's pretty simple...UD laid a marker in the sand with this EP...it says hip hop doesn't need slick pop production values and mindless lyrics about guns, gangs and just how tough life is when you're a multi-million selling rap star.... Hip hop should funky, fun and down right ... .groove-some..the guys have fun and don't attempt to pretend the music is about anything other than dope beats, phat b-lines and straight up party tunes...

If you like Jay Z/ Nelly/puffy don't buy this... ..I'm sure Death Row will release something to keep you happy soon...

Manewhile Einstein, Diz and AndyCat will keep the more discerning amongst us partying and havin' fun....everybody c'mon!! And buy this! Support underground hip-hop!

(Buy the album Journey to Anywhere too....)

This E.P. is well honed from start to finish. It clocks in at just under forty minutes, but every song is entertaining and head nodding. Ugly Duckling has a sensibility that is very much a synthesis of the Beastie Boys and the Pharcyde, but then add in groups like Jurassic Five and A Tribe Called Quest, and you're still only half accurate when describing the sound of this group. Einstein is a genius behind the boards, and makes every track a stand out. The rhymes are both humourous and kinetic, and are refreshingly devoid of any cursing. I bet these guys put on one dope show. Again, for an E.P., "Fresh Mode" succeeds in that Ugly Duckling gives it all they got and then some. It will remain in your heavy rotation list if you purchase it.

Somehow, in some ironic manner, Ugly Duckling managed to take completely old school mentalities and create one of the dopest EPs in a while. They are complete throwbacks to the early days of hip hop, before it had become commercialized by the money. They keep it simple, music is 100% provided by two turntables and an MPC courtesy of DJ Young Einstein. The emcees, Dizzy Dustin and Andy Cat bounce off of one another with simple yet effective chemistry. Their rhymes are the kind that you used to listen to when you were a kid (at least if you were lucky enough to grow up on hip hop pre-1990) and make you want to be an emcee. And don't sleep on some of the lyrics, because they do throw some profound statements in the verses every once in a while.

The one thing that kinda bothers me though is this: it's cool to show respect to your hip hop influences, but it seems like half the lyrics are lifted from other rhymes. Oh well, it's still guaranteed fresh.

This CD is very good for an EP. Awesome lyrics and better beats. Great style, true hip-hop. "D - Devastate, I - Impress, Z - Zestfully clean and fresh, another Z - that's the zip code that I got, on the north side of town, and Y - Why not? I got a flux capacitator in my model T ford, with a lot of gigawatts to go back to before..." look at them lyrics, just a sample. That was not even a good quote, just one I've memorized. Enjoy this CD because you are going to buy it!! I gave it four stars because some of the tracks are just OK, but it has a few that are absolute hits. (A 5 should be near perfect...)

Ugly Duckling is the beginning of white guys in hip hop! They pave the road for other white guys who have talent. They are the bomb, especially in concert. Einstein is the most talented DJ on the face of the earth and they are the best lyricists and they drop the greatest rhymes. Support them, follow their tour, and lay down the 8 bucks. It's worth it.