Bang for the Buck [ENHANCED] [EXTRA TRACKS]

Ugly Duckling

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 11, 2006)
• Original Release Date: April 11, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Extra tracks
• Label: Fatbeats
• ASIN: B000EQ47XG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #159,672 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Ugly Duckling formed in Long Beach, California in 1993 and consist of Andy Cooper, Dizzy Dustin and DJ Young Einstein. They have been releasing records and touring for the last 6 years and recently performed in China, only the second rap group to ever do so. Ugly Duckling first dropped the `Fresh Mode' EP, which was followed by their debut full album set, `Journey To Anywhere' and their follow up album `Taste The Secret'. On `Bang For The Buck' the guys wanted to return to thebasics, which is more straight up and raw.`Bang For The Buck' features 12 relentless tracks with slamming breaks, funky basslines, huge horn sections and tight, aggressive rapping. The first single to be taken from the album is `Yudee', which includes the track `Shoot Your Shot' which features a rare collaboration with People Under The Stairs. Ugly Duckling will be touring throughout the UK and Europe from March through to May. Vital.2006 --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I think I gotta hit ya like SMACK!, June 15, 2006

By	E. Ahn (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Say you got three white guys from Long Beach in a hip hop group, one of whom is a DJ who wears a big dookie gold neck chain, and whose music sports a catalog of songs about not cursing on the mic, being nice and respectful to women, a fictional fast food restaurant that serves liquified meat, and dreams about cartoon characters. Chances are you'd probably think it was pretty lame. And that's ok, but since their debut EP, it doesn't seem like Ugly Duckling really cares. They're too busy making some of the most consistently great golden era hip hop to really listen to any complaints.

Bang for the Buck is a culmination of why every Ugly Duckling album has been great. It combines the playfulness of Journey to Anywhere, with the themes and production style of Taste the Secret, and the unflagging dedication to old school hip hop of Fresh Mode. Only, it sounds different...and better. Maybe because DJ Young Einstein is on top of his game, making some of the most ridiculously layered beats. Just have a listen to the organ-punched beat of "Yudee" or the drums on "Einstein's On Stage" (with a nice Gangstarr shout out). Maybe it's because Dizzee has stepped his game up by leaps and bounds ever since the Combo Meal EP, with stellar verses on "Left Behind" and "Andy vs. Dizzy". Maybe it's because Andy Cooper is still the anchor that he's always been, throwing out some great bars on the single "Smack!" and the title track. But something about this album manages to click, bringing together all the reasons you love UD, and leaving out all the reasons you may not (e.g. the God references, excessive goofiness, kitschy gimmicks to end the songs, excessive interludes).

But from the moment you hear the gunshot of "Bang for the Buck" until the bouncingly epic final track, "The End of Time", Ugly Duckling takes you a ride that rarely lets up, turning the other cheek to any of the naysayers and pledging their dedication to the playful and childlike glee that comes with hearing your first hip hop record. Listen close enough, and it may rub off on you too.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back to funk, April 22, 2006

By	Andrew Reifman (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ugly Duckling has topped themselves with Bang For the Buck. Journey To Anywhere has that special place on my top albums list, but I'm able to admit that the new UD has definitely shown how far they've come and how good they've gotten. While Taste the Secret was a very fun, upbeat and more unique sounding record, Bang For the Buck sounds like a return that classic funk sound. Einstein kills it with his incredible beats, and Andy's and Dizzy's flows took it to another level. It's hard to say which songs are the standout tracks, because all the songs are awesome with their own different sounds. I'm already waiting for the next album and for UD's return to the states to show off their skills live.

5.0 out of 5 stars Dope!!, June 26, 2009

By	Daniel S. Martinez "Chud Nelson" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One of their most recent albums, Ugly Duckling doesn't fail with bringing hot break beats, jazzy sounds and sick lyrics. All of the songs are good on this album. If you like their older stuff, you will like this too.