Urge Overkill

When Urge Overkill broke through to the mainstream with Saturation in 1993, fans who rushed out to buy up the band's back catalog may have been rather surprised by their first EP, Strange, I.... In contrast to the cravat-wearing, rock-god image and slick, polished pop/rock sound of their later years, Strange, I... is loaded with shrieking guitars, pounding drums, and howling vocals. The influence of Steve Albini, who produced the EP, is evident in tracks such as "All Worked Out" and "My New Church." There are hints of the later Urge Overkill to follow, especially Eddie "King" Roeser's vocals on "Systems," which sound similar, albeit roughly, to Roeser's later, more radio-friendly style. Similarly, there are brief snippets where the band's later songwriting prowess appears. But for the most part, this is generic, standard-issue Chicago noise punk, with little original to distinguish it from Big Black or Naked Raygun. An EP strictly for the diehards; casual fans need not apply here. ~ Victor W. Valdivia, All Music Guide