Motel California [Cutout]

Motel California [Cutout]

Track Listings

1. It's A Lie

2. Dialogue

3. Sandwich

4. Rage Against The Answering Machine

5. Would You Like To Be There

6. Little Red Man

7. Bicycle Wheels

8. Father

9. Undertow

10. Shine

11. Strange

12. 12 Cents

Tracks:

It's a Life
Dialogue
Sandwich
Rage Against the Answering Machine
Would You Like to Be There
Little Red Man
Bicycle Wheels
Father
Undertow
Shine
Strange
12 Cents

Album Details

All New Material, 12 Tracks.

Customer Reviews:

Motel California.....Ugly Kid Joe.....Castle/Evilution Records....'96....Their BEST ALBUM!!!!.......2007-02-09

In '95 Ugly Kid Joe released Menace To Sobriety on Mercury Records and this album got praise from metal magazines... dubbed "Album Of The Year". Well Menace To Sobriety did well around the world except in the U.S. and immediately they were dropped from their record deal with Mercury Records. During this (late '95-early '96) time Ugly Kid Joe were not a happy bunch (I do not blame them) and disheartened by their lack of support from Mercury Records. Ugly Kid Joe went on their own and formed their own record label Evilution Records which is distributed by Castle Records. This to me was/is amazing and I'm glad that they formed their own record label (Evilution) under the awesome underrated Castle Records. I give Ugly Kid Joe the upmost respect as they gave an AWESOME EFFORT: MOTEL CALIFORNIA. As you can hear on this album its a no-holds barred we do what we want to do and that makes it fine music. Judging from some of the somewhat negative views of this album here on Amazon.com. I don't think some of the reviewers knew this and that is fine...its besides the point as Motel California is a fine album and UKJ's best!!They came out with this in Oct.'96 and showed a NEW/FRESH side to this band. Whit Crane to me is great/well liked singer since Ugly Kid Joe debuted in the early 90's. Shannon Larkin is an underrated drummer that played drums in to awesome band(s) before Ugly Kid Joe and was in a band(s) Wrathchild America and Souls At Zero (Wratchild America changed its name/style to Souls At Zero in '93). Anyhow this album weaves in a NEW/FRESH sound of continous guitars (nu-metal like...hate using that term) with little solos,fresh in your face style songs/lyrics (Its a Lie)while leaving the listener know that this is still Ugly Kid Joe. All songs on here are great,but the only one that is ok is the instrumental....Rage Against The Answering Machine (which I think the song is kind of interesting/funny as of course makes reference to Rage Against The Machine). That is Ugly Kid Joe's style....example the band's name Ugly Kid Joe is in reference to Pretty Boy Floyd(old band) and the title of the album I'm reviewing Motel California makes a reference to the band The Eagles as they had an album called Hotel California. UKJ just put a spin on things and tell the real reality!! Motel California overall is worth checking out and owning especially if you want to hear a NEW/FRESH version of UKJ. My favorites include Its a Lie (Amazon.com has the first song listed as Its a Life? and I don't know why...anyhow is called Its a Lie...GREAT SONG!!),Little Red Man, Father ,Undertow ,Shine, and Strange. But all are my favorites except song 4 (ok). Whit Crane and Shannon Larkin have formed a new band called Another Animal on Universal/Republic records and should be out this month (Feb. '07) or sometime soon. I heard one song called Find A Way on MYSPACE.com and check it out! Whit's voice sounds great and it sounds like a maturer Ugly Kid Joe. I am DEFINITELY GETTING ANOTHER ANIMAL as soon as it comes out!! Lastly, Motel California is the last mature/fresh/new of Ugly Kid Joe's albums...GET IT!!!!

look inside and you'll find the gems .......2005-11-24

well this not being the greatest album ugly kid joe produced and sadly it was their last because it didn't get a warm review from fans and critics which was a bit harsh because it's not a bad album just an average one...nothing like america's least wanted they went for a darkier sound with "motel califonia"
includes my favorites "it's a lie" "dialogue" "would you like to be there"great chorus
other highlights include "12 cents" a nice acoustic ditty to end an average album from the pretty boy floyd beaters

Worth checking out.......2005-11-02

While Ugly Kid Joe enjoyed success in the early 90s with there "As Ugly as they Wanna Be," (1991) EP and their "America's Least Wanted" (1992) album, the group was more-or-less a lash in the pan. They were more-or-less one of the very last bands of the pop-metal genre to enjoy any success, with their heyday coinciding with the grunge/alt. movement.

1995's "Menace to Sobriety" failed to chart and the band was dropped from the Mercury roster. The band signed with Castle and in 1996 gave it one more try with "Motel California."

Had "Motel California" been released just three years later, it could have been a hit. It is an exciting and entertaining hybrid of rock and rap, or what would later be termed "nu-metal." "Motel California" sounds akin to Kid Rock's breakthrough smash "Devil Without a Cause,"(1998). Only "Motel California" is more lighthearted in nature and is more rock than rap.

This album just came out at the wrong time. Released three years earlier or three years later, with some promotion, it could have been a hit.

While, "Motel California" isn't a lost classic, it's definitely an enjoyable album that deserved more recognition than it got.

This SUX!!.......2005-09-23

This is a bad CD. The song writing is very poor. Example of that is , in one song (can't remember which one), A lyric goes"Raise your hands in the air, Let me see that armpit hair". How desperate do u have to be to write crap like that.If you want UGly Kid Joe get an earlier album or the greatest hits.

Motel California - rocks yer world.......2002-03-19

This is a real stepping stone for the ugly kid californians, unfortunately it was to be the last, the promo was little, but the sales were pretty good (except america). Clearly UKJ hit the world when they ventured out of santa barbara.

From start to finish, the whole 12 songs are diverse.Unlike the previosu 3, Motel takes a good few listens to breathe and encompass.....Something ukj have always done throughout their 4 releases they pack a cocktail of unusual and highly infectious rock sounds...Motel is hard to sum up as a whole, there's trippy songs like sandwich and bicycle wheels, agressive punchy titles like it's a lie and then laidback cool, dark californian rock numbers like undertow and would you like to be there...whatever you do, whatever you buy, you need this album.

Motel California
Average customer rating:
Motel California
Ugly Kid Joe
Manufacturer: Castle
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000LWJWBU

Average customer rating:

Worth a listen

good sound for this band

ukj's finest hour - a must own

stinky!

More of the Same

Motel California
Ugly Kid Joe
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Cutouts | Alternative General | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
All Bargain Titles | Alternative General | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
CDs Under $7 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
Similar Items:

Menace to Sobriety

As Ugly as They Wanna Be

ASIN: B00004SB3P
Release Date: 2000-02-22

Tracks:

It's A Lie
Dialogue
Sandwich
Rage Against The Answering Machine
Would You Like To Be There
Little Red Man
Bicycle Wheels
Father
Undertow
Shine
Strange
12 Cents

Customer Reviews:

Worth a listen.......2005-11-03

good sound for this band.......2002-06-30

what a amazing cd!! the songs really do rock. ugly kid joe followed the alternative bandwagon with this cd. crane doesn't scream much in this cd which is good. songs like little red man, strange, shine, and father really stand out on this cd. maybe they thought if they added a grungy flavor to there sound they might get noticed by people. there 15 minutes of fame was pretty much over. they should reform sometime to make a new album. motel california is such a good chunk of heavy rock that it's so enjoyable to listen to. this cd sounds nothing like there older stuff. any fan of alternative rock, or rock music needs to check out this cd. no one should ignore this cd at all. a really good ugly kid joe cd.

ukj's finest hour - a must own.......2002-03-19

This is a real stepping stone for the ugly kid californians, unfortunately it was to be the last, the promo was little, but the sales were pretty good (except america). According to the amazon sites it's now shifted 300 000 in america and 55 000 in the UK, clearly UKJ hit the world when they ventured out of santa barbara.

stinky!.......2000-09-05

Yikes, this is easily the most disastrous of the albums released by an otherwise fine band. Clearly coming to an end and running out of ideas musically the band have all but dried up and there's not enough left in them to make one good song. This one would have been better left unmade. The lyrics are especially trashy and the cheap hardcore metal is cringeworthy. Its all a bit embarresing really. The worst song would have to be `Sandwich' and the best, which is still pretty dire, would be `It's A Lie'. Oh, and I have to mention `Rage Against the Answering Machine' which is plain horrible. No wonder not a single song from this album made it to the `Greatest Hits' collection.

Look to the earlier albums where the true colours of Ugly Kid Joe shine brightest. This doesn't do them justice.

More of the Same.......2000-06-22

The band that brought us such singles as "I Hate Everything About You" and a terrific remake of "Cat's in the Cradle" falls flat on this effort. The songs appear derivitive, and somehow dated. As a fan of "party rock", I am somewhat biased. I recommend track 4.

Average customer rating:

Frankie gets Lit in... Las Vegas? (3.5 stars)
Check into Motel California

Motel California
Vegas DeMilo
Manufacturer: Pinch Hit
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005O6LM
Release Date: 2001-11-06

Tracks:

Fall
Chemical Girl
Dusted
Radio
All I Ever Wanted
Acid King
Payback
Slow Kiss
Teenage Pornstar
What Ever Happened To Jane
My Brilliant Career

Customer Reviews:

Frankie gets Lit in... Las Vegas? (3.5 stars).......2003-08-04

The first two bands that came to mind after hearing "Fall" and "Chemical Girl" were Frankie Goes To Hollywood (the `relax / don't do it' song) and Lit. I realize those two groups have little (or nothing) in common, but if they were to come together to produce a song, it would most likely sound like anything from Vegas DeMilo`s Motel California. By the number of reviews for this album, it's obvious these guys aren't a force in pop-rock music yet. And let it be said from the very start: this CD is far from perfect. There are a few exceptional tracks, but other than that everything is pretty simplistic and sounds too parallel. None of the songs really distinguish themselves, and to be honest, I was a bit disappointed. An overview:

1. Fall - 5/5 - considered a single, though you'd be hard pressed to remember it. The beats and lyrics within are excellent; it comes off sounding better than pretty much everything else here.

2. Chemical Girl - 3.5/5 - an adequate song with some intriguing electric work. The shouts of `oh... goddxmn... that wasn't smart of me' take the cake.

3. Dusted - 3/5 - this one's also more average and not quite as enjoyable, lyrically and musically, as the previous two. Still decent.

4. Radio - 4.5/5 - rather straightforward, reminding us what we hear on the radio isn't always what we should be hearing. Very cool and relative.

5. All I Ever Wanted - 3.5/5 - more of a slow song that manages to differentiate itself. It's good to hear something different; though it doesn't always flow.

6. Acid King - 3/5 - another rocker that's comparable to "Chemical Girl". Once more, it's amiable, but it just doesn't stand out.

7. Payback - 4/5 - strange beats and cool, aggressive lyrics make for one of Motel California's better tunes. It's very catchy from start to finish.

8. Slow Kiss - 3/5 - too similar to "All I Ever Wanted". It's another decent song that just might catch your hear.

9. Teenage Pornstar - 2.5/5 - an overused basis and uninteresting lyrics make for, quite possibly, the weakest song on the album. Kind of funny...

10. Whatever Happened To Jane - 3/5 - read what I wrote for "Slow Kiss". Ditto.

11. My Brilliant Career - 5/5- saving the best for last is a popular tactic for bands. Kudos to Vegas DeMilo for using that tactic here. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be paradoxical or genuine; it's great either way.

Although there are only two tracks with a five-out-of-five ranking, none of the songs here are at all bad. They just don't sound any different than the previous ones (that's also my only complaint with Lit). "Fall" and "My Brilliant Career" posses great lyrics and great sound; most of the others have one or the other, not necessarily both. I first heard of Vegas DeMilo when I was searching for comical Christmas songs on Audiogalaxy. That's when I came across "...Toys For Christmas", which has since become one of the funniest and best Christmas rock songs I own. And it was after hearing that mirthful tune that I decided to look into the band. I would recommend this to fans of Lit especially. And if you are looking for new and (possibly) up-and-coming bands in the pop-rock scene, Motel California is certainly worth checking out.

Check into Motel California.......2001-09-26

I recently saw these guys at the Fillmore in San Francisco for their record release party. Intense!....just like this album! Every track is amazing. Obviously, I highly recommend this album. There's also a cool video on this CD for their single "Fall." If you dig Creeper Lagoon, Guided By Voices or Built To Spill then check out this album. You won't regret it.

Average customer rating:

Worth a listen
This is what Korn and the Deftones should sound like
Very strong energy flow
Motel California / Heavy, Funky and a total trip
I rate it, but i hate it !!!

Motel California
Ugly Kid Joe
Manufacturer: Castle Music (UK)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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Menace to Sobriety

ASIN: B000050XN0
Release Date: 2001-04-24

Tracks:

It's a Life
Dialogue
Sandwich
Rage Against the Answering Machine
Would You Like to Be There
Little Red Man
Bicycle Wheels
Father
Undertow
Shine
Strange
12 Cents

Customer Reviews:

Worth a listen.......2005-11-03

This is what Korn and the Deftones should sound like.......2003-08-16

It is obvious listening to this cd, how much they were influenced by Korn and the Deftones.I got into this group back in 90 when i heard Whiplash Liquor, and loved that first EP.I only bought this cause of how good that one was, and it had a great CD cover. I expected the same kind of music as their older cd's-very 80's metal with a hint of nu-metal. This one was nu-metal with barely a hint of old metal!.This was a HUGE step forward for this band.It is not my favorite kind of music in the world-but they did these songs with so much originality and passion, they sound like they invented this kind of music!!! Bicycle Wheels is my favorite-and normally I don't care for rap.I could see how people who like their old stuff wouldn't like this, cause it really is a completely different kind of music-it's like comparing Cinderella with Slayer.This album is so inspiring that I put it on to get my creative juices flowing when I'm writing melodies . I used to think this group sounded like a hang-on from the hair-metal days.I honestly never thought this band could hang with the new metal guys-they not only hang with them-they outdo them!!! BRAVO Busy bee watching the world go by-----

Very strong energy flow.......2002-10-09

"Motel California", the last album of Ugly Kid Joe, is much similar with its predecessor "Menace To Sobriety". UKJ sounds still funky, hard and melodic here but on the other hand a bit more cool than in the ones before it. "Motel California" has some rap influences. This record shows once again that UKJ is very adaptive band: For example, "It's a lie" is very aggressive and uplifting song but "Undertow" is very slow and melancholy. Ugly Kid Joe is a good example of a band which is melodic and hard in the same time. As its predecessor this record is very well-produced and sounds extremely sharp and strong. Those people who have listened to "America's Least wanted" only will find that UKJ sounds very modern and cool here. Because UKJ sounds so good here, it is very "ugly thing" that this is their last album. Anyway, UKJ has been and will be a very strong influence for many alternative rock/ new wave metal bands.

Motel California / Heavy, Funky and a total trip.......2002-02-02

I rate it, but i hate it !!!.......2001-07-17

There is no interest in this music, all along the whole album. I liked very much one of their singles, but I don't remember the title of that one. (I'm a child of the 70's and I've been cut of the Rock Music World by wedding, so the 80's is the worst periode of my life, in the R'n'R point of view). But I can tell you this : "Motel California" is not good at all !

Average customer rating:

Motel California
Ugly Kid Joe
Manufacturer: Castle Music (windsong)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002B6M72
Release Date: 2001-04-24

Average customer rating:

Worth a listen
UKJ's finest hour, motel california
the audible talents of dave f. will truely be missed.
This is UKJ's best work...Sadly their last release
this cd rules

Motel California
Ugly Kid Joe
Manufacturer: Jvc Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Metal | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B000007UIB
Release Date: 1997-09-17

Tracks:

It's a Lie
Sandwich
Rage Against the Answerin
Would You Like to Be There
Little Red Man
Bicycle Wheels
Father
Undertow
Shine
Strange
12 Cents
Sandwich [Vulgar Remix]
Bicycle Wheels [Remix]

Album Details

Japanese Release, featuring Exclusive Bonus Track.

Customer Reviews:

Worth a listen.......2005-11-03

UKJ's finest hour, motel california.......2002-03-19

the audible talents of dave f. will truely be missed........1999-05-30

having come in contact w/one of the bands members many years ago i was dam happy to see and hear that dave got off his #%$@* and applied his talent. you got to give credit to someone who can pick up anything and make music with it. regroup and and get me some mo fonk for my ears.

This is UKJ's best work...Sadly their last release.......1999-04-06

This is by far UKJ's best work yet. I was astonished that they broke up after the release of this tight album. They need to regroup. I have said it before and I'm saying it again. Whit, call the others and get back together! If you don't have this CD already, buy it because it is their greatest work.

this cd rules.......1999-03-23

this is a great cd it has alot of that metal california grunge punch to it. and the remixes sound great.

Music Info: