{"id":8764,"date":"2022-10-11T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-11T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/?p=8764"},"modified":"2025-11-30T11:49:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T10:49:30","slug":"ugly-kid-joe-rad-wings-of-destiny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/rock\/ugly-kid-joe-rad-wings-of-destiny\/","title":{"rendered":"Ugly Kid Joe \u2013 Rad Wings Of Destiny"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Everyone knows Ugly Kid Joe’s big hit ‘Cats in the Cradle’. For those who still don’t know how the band name came about: These rockers from California would do a one-time joint performance with the then successful glam metal band ‘Pretty Boy Floyd’. To accentuate the differences, these men from California chose the band name ‘Ugly Kid Joe’. ‘Pretty Boy Floyd’ canceled the show. But the name ‘Ugly Kid Joe’ never changed. Now we are 32 years further on and their debut album ‘America’s Least Wanted’ (which went multi-platinum) is celebrating its 30th anniversary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almost immediately, I tap along to the catchy rhythm of the rock song ‘That Ain’t Livin’. The high rock voice still has the rough touch. The bass is pleasantly present, the guitar playing is delightful. Last but not least, the drumming complements it nicely. In the gentler piece, the rhythm remains catchy. The backing vocals are a fine addition in the rocking part. ‘Not Like The Other’ has a rousing intro. This, combined with the “Hey\u2026..hey,” provides a great opportunity during a concert for fans to sing and clap along. There are nice details from the percussion and guitar. Live, this song is really going to be a blast. There’s nice play with the spread over headphones, so it’s nice to enjoy this rock at home as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The calm start of ‘Everything’s Changing’ immediately has my attention. The acoustic guitar playing has a warm sound, and so do the gentler vocals. ‘Ugly Kid Joe’ proves once again that they can keep the balance even in the calm songs. ‘Kill The Pain’ also has a subdued intro. The mix between rhythm and melody is good again. The build-up to more power (and back again) is a bit predictable. As a result, it touches me a little less than I expected. But the sound and its distribution is very good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Lola’, by the Kinks, who doesn’t know it? This is a nice cover, in which the rough edge on the vocals comes out nicely. The rhythm in ‘Dead Friends Play’ is tight. The fast clapping is nicely added. The ending could have been more unique. This is compensated in the laid-back ‘Up in the City,’ which has a surprising ending. The vocals in ‘Drinkin’ And Drivin’ are stacked at times. This is a (rather short) quiet song that invites you to sing along. In ‘Failure’ you can clearly hear the wonderful rock roots from the 80s-’90s. In the quiet part, the guitar playing is compelling. Again there are nice percussion details. After a rousing part, this track extinguishes nicely slowly. ‘Long Road’ has a mellow feel to it. Again, vocals and music form a very good harmony. It is such a pity that this last track is turned away at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a fine balance or alternation between acoustic and electric guitar playing. All the instruments among themselves are well distributed, so are vocals versus music. When Whitfield sings a little louder and higher, the rough edge on his rock voice comes out more. In the somewhat lower\/slower sung parts, his voice still has a nice warm sound. At times, the vocals are stacked. Vocal parts and instrumental pieces are nicely interspersed. There are nice details, not only in vocals and music. Another important plus: the sound quality of “Rad Wings Of Destiny” is really good!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(77\/100) (Metalville\/P.I.A.S.). <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Social media<\/strong>:
Website: Ugly Kid Joe<\/a>
Facebook: Ugly Kid Joe<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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