Customer Reviews

Master of Styles

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Urge's 1998 release "Master Of Styles" delivers a hard-hitting pure rock sound accompanied by jazz, ska and hip hop elements. The word "flawless" comes to mind at the thought of 12 solid tracks that display originality and creativity all polished by Steve Ewing's amazing vocals. Though none of the tracks could be considered a "filler," if I had to choose the album's weakness, it would be within the song "Identity Crisis." Even "Gene Machine," a cover of an old Bad Brains' song, is quite impressive. Highlights of the album include: "If I Were You," "Straight To Hell," "Played Out," "Closer," "Going Down" and "Prayer For Rain." I would strongly consider these 6 songs for a top 50 songs of all time list! PTMFUS!

I'm new to listening to rock, but I remembered having this CD a long time ago, but something happened to it, so I ordered it again. The Urge has a really great sound to them, a sort of alternative rock/ska sound with a touch of jazz on some songs due to the trombones added. Favorites have to be: Jump Right In, Played Out, My Apology, Divide and Conquer, and Prayer for Rain. The whole CD seems to flow together, sans for three songs that are considerably heavier rock than the others (Straight to Hell, S.L.O.B, and Gene Machine), but those are still done quite well and are just those types of songs to amp you up for a fun event. Definitely recommend this CD for Urge fans, or fans or alternative rock.

The name of this alblum, Master of Stlyes, lives up to its name. This St. Louis group offers a wide rage of punk, ska, and rock/hard rock. I too heard about this group when I heard "Jump Right In" featuring 311 frontman Nick Hexum. From then on, I have been in love with this band. No matter what your style, Master of Styles offers what you want.

Master of Styles is an awesome cd to rock out to-its really upbeat and gets you going. Very similar to 311.

I've had this CD for nearly a year now and still enjoy it! The song I love most is "Played Out." In addition to liking the sound, it's the question they're asking: "Who gave you the right to put your hand in my pants (and) turn the pockets inside out?" They're talking about taxes, which by the way, all of us are paying too much. There's so much more I could praise about the album, but I'll leave it there. Excellent album. If I could they'd let me give it ten stars, I would!

You've probably heard the song "Jump Right In" on the radio dozens of times. But the truth is, this album is so much more than that one song. Just like their friends in 311 and Incubus, they combine groove, funk, metal and rap all into one big pot, and it is truly amazing. This band needs more exposure, I think. If you like this band buy some Incubus, 311, Red Hot Chili Peppers or any other funk rock band like that.

This C.D. has it all. They have a lot of energy to go with the music. If you haven't heard them, you may want to look into it. They're a great band, but undiscovered. Radios don't have, but you should. You have a variety of styles on this C.D. You have your hard rock, slow rock, alternative, and many others. The lyrics are better than others I have heard in a while. They have their own songs, instead of re-making older ones.

The Urge is one of those bands whose songs just get in your head and keep screaming to get out. I've seen this band live about 10 times and this album almost captures their stage energy. If you've already got this check out 2 Skinnee J's and ATOMIC FIREBALLS. All three of these bands will rock your world.

The Urge's 1998 release entited "Master Of Styles" delivers a hard-hitting, pure rock sound accompanied by jazz, ska, reggae and hip hop elements. The 12 solid tracks on this album is the band's most accomplished and effective collection of songs to date. Below, please find the rating for each song individually:

If I Were You - 10/10

Straight To Hell - 10/10

Jump Right In - 9/10

S.L.O.B. - 7/10

Played Out - 10/10

Closer - 10/10

Gene Machine {Bad Brains Cover} - 8/10

My Apology - 8/10

Divide And Conquer - 8/10

Identity Crisis - 7/10

Going Down - 10/10

Prayer For Rain - 10/10

I saw these guys at a outdoor festival in 1995 at Ak-sar-ben. They r-o-c-k-e-d. They were the third best band there, which is fine, since 311 and Violent Femmes were 2 and 1. The spectacle of seeing this band take a dance break made me fall in love with them right away. When you've got six guys, some of them still holding horns, dancing around the rhythm section, you've got something. I have always like "Jump Right In", and the deeper tracks are rockers too.