Ugly Kid Joe is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their second full length record, ‘Menace To Sobriety’, with an official vinyl repress from Deko Entertainment coming in November. Released in 1995, ‘Menace To Sobriety’ was a heavier and darker album than its predecessor, with Kerrang! Magazine calling it “the album of year.” Despite receiving little promotion in the US at the time, the album’s true power is evident three decades later, revealing what may be the heaviest and most consequential album of the band’s entire career. The record saw the addition of phenomenal drummer Shannon Larkin from Wrathchild America and later of Godsmack, whose impact is obvious from the powerful lead off track “God” and the doom of the single “Tomorrow’s World,” a track that shows the major influence of Black Sabbath on the band.
The band’s impressive songwriting shines throughout the album, along with the infamous Ugly Kid Joe sense of humor. “Milkman’s Son” perfectly shows the depth of the band’s writing and the different textures of vocalist Whitfield Crane’s voice, moving from smooth melody to a rough snarl with lyrics that are both sincere and humorous. The powerful chemistry between the guitar duo of Dave Fortman and Klaus Eichstadt is evident on the riffs of “Clover” and the amazing “Jesus Rode A Harley,” complimented by the heavy and funky bass playing of Cordell Crockett. Deko is releasing the album in two limited edition vinyl formats: a single Ugly Kid Joe Ghostly Green LP and a deluxe double LP pressed at 45RPM on an explosive Orange A Side / B Side Splatter, both of which feature the bonus track “Slower Than Nowhere,” which was not included on the original US release.
‘Menace To Sobriety’ Track Listing
- Intro
- God
- Tomorrow’s World
- Clover
- C.U.S.T.
- Milkman’s Son
- Suckerpath
- Cloudy Skies
- Jesus Rode A Harley
- 10/10
- V.I.P
- Oompa
- Candle Song
- Slower Than Nowhere