Customer Reviews

Joy 1967-90

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

 

 

This album was enlightening to me when I was first exposed in the early 90's. It has been a go-to for me ever since. Just yesterday I listened to it again and decided to see what the state of UVS was, if the album/cd was still out there and found the reviews here on Amazon.

If you are waffling on this cd, I encourage you to take the chance and discover some of the most incredible compilations. The production lends itself to a Sunday morning, sun streaming in as you enjoy breakfast and your favorite paper. You'll leave the house smiling, and catchy lyrics in your head, and wondering to yourself "how did this slip by the masses and miss being played?"

Enjoy!

I don't know how wonderful albums like this go out of print, but it's well worth looking for used. Not quite as good as the UVS self titled, but better than "Rev", this is a great record with that early alternative sound to it. A few upbeat tracks including "Special one" with Kim Deal from the Pixies, but most of it is mellow. Similiar to early Cure or New Order, but most like Velvet Underground to my ears. UVS is one of those secret bands that nobody knows, but everybody likes, and I have probably played every month since 1990.

UVS is Kurt Ralske's relatively brief adventure into rock n roll. Ralske was educated at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, which is hardly your typical rock star spawning grounds.

Since doing 3 or 4 albums as UVS, Ralske has gone on to doing some electronic ambient stuff, working with films, producing other bands, and even has a permanent exhibit at MOMA in New York.

Maybe the best way to describe UVS is post 60s, pre Beck psychedelia. Other than Robyn Hitchcock, nobody comes immediately to mind who was doing psychedelic pop like this in the late 80s and early 90s, at least not as succinctly as UVS.

If I remember correctly, Ralske plays just about all the instruments on this album, a remarkable feat in itself. The subject matter with this and later UVS records seems to revolve mostly around sex, guilty pleasure (the title to one of the songs), drugs (the self titled album even has a syringe on the cover), and death. You might think this sounds depressing, but this album actually doesn't come across negative, but instead has a numbing psychedelic aftertaste if that makes any sense.

The overall effect is a detached novocaine feel. I gather it's out of print now, but a great CD if you can get ahold of it.

An amazingly underrated album. Short concise 90's pop songs. Includes a guest vocal by Liz from the Cocteau Twins. Every track is great.

I somehow acquired this album back in '90 or '91 on cassette. At the time, I'd never heard of the band, nor do I remember how it came about that I shelled out for it. Perhaps I was intrigued by the album title. At any rate I am so glad I did as it quickly became one of my favorite albums.

Somewhere along the way the tape got lost and it has been years since I've heard this. I recall listening to this a lot around the time my wife and I first met and fell in love.

The other reviewers here are right on the money about this album: it is haunting and faintly psychedelic in a sort of 1990s way. It is worth tracking down, and that is what I am doing right now.

Just listen to the song 'Lightning'. If you're a fan of New Order or the Cure or Jesus Mary Chain you will love these guys. Fantastic stuff.

You will love this CD.

Very high-quality music. Kindest cut is absolutely my most favorite song.