Urge Overkill – Rock and Roll Submarine album review

Never heard of Urge Overkill? Do not be so quick to reply, “Yes.” Remember in Quentin Tarantino’s classic, Pulp Fiction, where Uma Thurman is singing Neil Diamond’s, “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon?” Well, you have Urge Overkill to thank for that. Their cover of the song accompanies Thurman during her iconic overdosing scene. Having taken a long break since then (their last full-length was 1995′s Exit the Dragon), the group has returned with Rock & Roll Submarine, an album that is a nostalgic nod to the alternative rock sounds of the ’90s.

Starting off with Guns N’ Roses-esque attitude and heaviness, both “Mason Dixon” and “Rock & Roll Submarine” are energetic and powerful.

“Little Vice” is hard rock at its finest; the chugging guitar part and the Scott Weiland-esque vocals from singer-guitarists Nash Kato and Eddie “King” Roeser, will instantly have you headbanging.

“She’s My Ride” almost sounds like Nirvana’s “Sappy” in the beginning, before going back into familiar territory with heavy snare hits and riffs. “Niteliner” begins with exploding drums and a guitar riff that you will attempt to imitate multiple times.

“Touch to a Cut” does not depart from the formula; heavy drums, riffs and raw vocals, this song closes out the album properly, although the fade out could have easily been replaced with a more memorable ending.

Urge Overkill is a straight-ahead, rock & roll band. For those who were hoping for something new and innovative, do not look here; these guys remain dedicated to reminding you of the rock music that dominated the airwaves during the ’90s. In the veins of Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots and Guns N’ Roses, Urge Overkill keeps things simple; their music is meant to make you move, air-guitar for a few minutes and reminisce.

In an age where rock has ventured into new territory, it is good to sometimes have a band that remains in the realm of straightforward, hard rock. Urge Overkill is not trying to sound like the bands of today; they are a familiar sound that will bring to mind the rawness and intensity of the “Generation X” bands. Accessible, loud and powerful, Urge Overkill is a flickering light separating itself from the many hybrids of rock we have now. If you are a ’90s child, or just enjoy hard, riff-based songs, then this is the band for you.