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Nation of Ulysses

Play Pretty for Baby
1992
Dischord

Nation of Ulysses - Play Pretty for Baby (Cover Artwork)


Review by: nick f
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Dischord Records (Logo)

Published on August 3rd 2002

The Nation of Ulysses were the last band that really believed in the pure salvation that is punk rock. During their entire time together as a band, the NOU seemed locked in a Peter Panesque struggle to stay forever young and stay free. Stay free of the constraints of the US government, stay free of the status quo, and stay free from all constraints in general. That being said, it can probably be said that the NOU were the most dangerous band of the 1990´s.

"Play Pretty for Baby", their second album, is as explosive now as it was when it first appeared in 1992. Part beat poetry, part jazz hipness, and part punk noise explosion, the NOU crafted a record that not only expanded on their previous album, but tore the roof of the sucka. Songs veer from pointed critique´s of cough syrup addicts to aging boomers. Lead singer Ian Svenonius´s voice jumps erraticly from a cynical snarl, to a life affirming death shriek. The musical attack is relentless as well, breathless rocker´s such as "A Comment on Ritual" and "The Kingdom of Heaven Must be Taken by Storm" have the driving force of hardcore, with the musical experimentation similar to that of Sonic Youth. Horns also appear, which add to the volatile attack.

The Nation of Ulysses may be gone, but there is no reason one can´t hope on this "Last Train to Cool", put on that sharp suit, and rebel in style.

"I´m not talking bout a Beatles song, written a hundred years before I was born"
- "N-Sub Ulysses"



People who liked this also liked:
Rites of Spring - End on EndDismemberment Plan - Emergency & IAlkaline Trio - I Lied My Face OffRefused - The Shape of Punk to ComeThe Clash - London CallingMinor Threat - Complete DiscographyBad Brains - Bad BrainsNeutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The SeaAt The Drive-In - Relationship Of CommandDrive Like Jehu - Yank Crime



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    Posted by 8seconds on 2007-05-05 03:12:57
    My Score:

    Yeah, I love this album along with all of their other albums.

    Posted by TheYoungInfluential on 2006-06-08 21:42:58

    As much as I loved this album, I'd still have to say that The Embassy Tapes were better.

    Posted by AmericanIdle on 2004-09-26 21:47:36
    My Score:

    I believe that the revolutionary politics are, for the most part, ironic/sarcastic. But then again, i could be wrong and the jokes on me.

    Posted by ObeyYourParents on 2004-06-02 03:30:42
    My Score:

    Man this band was freakin' awesome! Perhaps its grating on some people, but its just because they don't know any better. This review is right on the mark about these DC legends. Art as a real threat (Its only fitting that I borrow from those, who would in turn borrow from the fire that is the Beloved Flower of Ulysses). Great stuff.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 26, 2003 at 11:02 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    To be completely honest, the sound of Ulysses shouldn't matter unless the ideas do. The sound definately matters in that it creates an atmosphere and context for the ideas to be taken in, so each compliments the other. But if a person is more concerned with how they sound than what they were about then they probably aren't the organization for you. There are a million other bands that blindly focus on music/"rock'n'roll, but this is not one of them. This is something that many critiques and listeners fail to realize. I hope that these words are not misunderstood, if they are I appologize. Let the N.O.U. shift skin, sound, faces, and name till the end of time. Chew the whole cookie (not just the part that's chewy). -Anonymous

    Posted by yellowtrash on 2002-08-05 14:55:32
    My Score:

    oh yeah...i think they are sometimes referred as a "terroist" band. hehe. their other album somewhat imply it like "13-point Program to Destroy America".

    my friend and i also believe that Refused was heavily influence in their writing style. they both have manifestos in their cd booklet and they have "the ____ of ____ to come" as one of their songs. they both also dressed stylishly.

    A favorite quote from one of their songs are "who's got the new anti-parent culture sound?"

    Posted by yellowtrash on 2002-08-05 14:46:57
    My Score:

    i was going to review this cd awhile ago, but i got really lazy.

    there is no fucking way you can compare NOU to any other band. so abstract, but catchy.

    the singer and guitarist is in the make-up. check them out.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 4, 2002 at 5:43 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    To compare NOU to another band is amazingly difficult.

    They sound nothing like born against, but i usually listen to the two back to back.

    I dont know, their not very derivative.

    wyzo

    Posted by evildeadalive on 2002-08-04 03:09:26
    My Score:

    Yeah, but what do they sound like? They sound interesting from your review, any bands you could compare them to?

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