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The Sound Of Urchin

The Diamond (2005)
Hybrid

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Anchors
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on July 22nd 2005

Do any of you know exactly what a sea urchin looks like? They’re real pointy bastards who make their homes on the sea floor, and who will make their presence known if you have the misfortune of stepping on one of them, as my cousin did a few years back. The spines are pretty tricky to get out, and can be quite painful, but as much harm as they cause, they’re actually very fascinating animals. They may be a site to look at, but how exactly do they sound? Apparently like an alt-rock band with serious pop sensibilities.

That description is probably going to turn more people away than actually get them to listen to this record, but it can be really enjoyable in spots. Tracks like “White Dove” allow the band to explore the more upbeat, rocking side of their personality, simple as the song structures may be. The song carries a fast-talking, percussion-heavy beat, with the lead singer yelling above it all. The sound works well, especially when contrasted with almost-new wave-sounding efforts such as “Police Helicopters Over Brooklyn,” which showcases a xylophone and Casio keyboard against fuzzy electroclash guitars. Definitely one of the more fun tracks on the album, especially to sing the chorus of “I gotta find a reason, to make it through this season / Summer’s in the air, and it’s hotter than it’s ever been.”

“The Jack-O-Lantern” puts a more traditional rock sound at the forefront, but with some very poppish vocals accenting the chorus before some solid riffing is brought into the bridge. I don’t know that I can quite put my finger on just what element makes some of these songs so fun, but regardless, the entire album is well put together, and the only hint at the flow being interrupted comes from the almost comically distorted vocals in “There Are People In The Clouds.” The effects and distortion on this album really need to be saved for the guitars, such as on “Bomb Me,” which incorporates the gang vocals of old-school hardcore with a raw punk guitar sound.

The album doesn’t stay on one distinct sound for long though, as “Blown Away” brings back the light, airy pop vocals and a much more relaxed guitar sound. The vocals being as they are here, however, exposes one of the album's potential downfalls, which is the writing style of the lyrics. Written in jest or not, some of the lines in “Blown Away” just don’t sit well with me;

You’ve come here for my breakfast, you come here for my toast / Now the lump is in your throat, and what is so damn pressing? / And what is so damn wrote, I think I got the answer and I think I gotto go.

Minor issues like that aside, this album, between its punk leanings and pop sensibility, stands to be an enjoyable one. The album isn’t going to make a creative or groundbreaking niche anywhere, but the potential to be a fun album is definitely there. Sea Urchins are in fact harsh, vengeful bastards, but the sounds they can put into recording just may offset their bad name.

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Anonymous (March 6, 2006)

Definatly one of the best albums i've heard in a long while. When i first listened to it, i wasn't so crazy about it, but after just chilling to the whole thing, i totally got it, and when u get it, its like..fuck! this shit is good! Really good, reviewer probably listened to it for about 3 minutes and wrote the review. Give urchin a try, they may suprise u.

Anonymous (January 24, 2006)

"The Diamond" is one of the BEST FUCKING CDs I've listened to in a LOOOOOOOOONG TIME!!! Each song kicks more ass than an epileptic mule in a disco! The guy who gave this CD only 3 stars should have his head examined and replaced!

Anonymous (July 29, 2005)

sounds to me like the reviewer really likes the diamond, but doesn't know if it's "punk" enough. just because urchin doesn't sing about being 15 and getting dumped in a whiny accent doesn't mean that their not punk. whoever said urchin is more punk than 99.9% of the bands out there was right. punk is not singing in an english accent and playing power chords, punk is doing things your own way on your own terms. some urchin songs are more punk than sick of it all, some songs are more chill than sublime. that is punk.

Anonymous (July 29, 2005)

i imagine writing reviews is a bit like masturbation...it's self-absorbed and insular. punknes.org....please.

what would joe pop-o-pie think?

-T.

Anonymous (July 29, 2005)

this fucker who wrote this review can suck a dick. go see urchin live just one time or actually sit down an give the album a fuckin spin more than once and you'll feel the urchin inside you. "People in the Clouds" is perhaps one of the best fucki songs on this album. Urchin live is some of the loudest rock n' roll i've experienced in my concert viewing history. they are rock. go see them

Anonymous (July 29, 2005)

saw sou open for tenacious d a few years back in chicago, they blew my ass to pieces. never heard of em before. been a fan since and just bought the diamond recently. my ass now needs serious surgery. just when i thought i liked them for the "fun" aspect, and cause they rock balls, they pull out a full on arena rock album with the diamond, mixed with metal/punk/indy, and show me that these guys are for real. yes, the diamond is "fun" to listen to, and on the surface may sound a bit pop, but this album is serious business, and seriously addictive, like oxycontin. urchin is more punk than 99.9% of the bands out there today, because they do what they want to do. and that's what being punk is.

Anonymous (July 29, 2005)

Whoever reviewed this hasn't seen the Urchin recently. The writer is trying too hard to point out shit without really knowing enough about it. Middle man, at best. Most reviewers suck and write a review after listening to an album one time, without really "getting" what they're listening too. I come from an old-school punk way of thinking, but have a wide range of musical tastes. The Diamond is one of this year's best albums and the Sound of Urchin is one of the best touring bands out there today. They are the salvation of all that is rock. The reviewer probably loves Good Charlotte and all the other "new punk" bands". Go out and see them when you get a chance. They'll rock your nuts off and leave you wanting more.

Anonymous (July 28, 2005)

hey to the person who saw em open for ten-D...we'll nothing really against the D but they are not real music.....the sound of urchin embodies everything that is rock and roll....they exemplify rock and roll.....I like the D and the D likes urchin.....also the review was not the best.....the diamond is not good in spots....it kicks ass from start to finish.....there is no musical band out there quite like urchin......to whoever wrote that review, have you ever seen them live? if so, how many times? these guys just get better and better.......Rock on!!!

Anonymous (July 28, 2005)

seen the sound of urchin open for cracker 2001 they were supporting the "you are the best" album .... they were amazing! .... have been huges fans ever since ..... please come back to san diego A.S.A.P. ............ peace

Anonymous (July 28, 2005)

glad you've listened to the album to make that "review." try buying it and giving it spin - this album rocks.

Anonymous (July 22, 2005)

I saw this band open for Tenacious D about 4 years ago and they were AWFUL. I can't imagine this album would be any different. Such a joke!