Urge Overkill and the Saturation of Sound

It's been years and years since rock music was still important and had great relevance. Artists were not pop bunnies who sang with computer voices, but stars with guitars, poets, explainers of the world.

Today it`s time to hear for Urge Overkills "Saturation" again.

These musicians don't even touch denim, leather or flannel with tongs. Because Urge Overkill live in a world full of glamour. With a velvet blazer, gold chain and space suit. Nash Kato (vocals, guitar), King Roeser (vocals, bass) and Blackie Onassis (vocals, drums) love Neil Diamond and Las Vegas. However, this is not always noticeable in their songs.

Unlike many of their competitors, the trio from Chicago did not rely 30 years ago on simply reviving sounds from the 60s and 70s that had long been thought dead. Instead, Urge Overkill engage in a kind of intelligent music recycling, which ultimately results in a new, unique sound. "Saturation" shone with a dozen songs that set standards in the US underground in 1993. Pieces of one piece, not far removed from the simple, striking art of Steve Miller.

But this LP also has vocal harmonies that would do the Byrds credit. Plus a hypnotic folk beat, a wonderful, controlled guitar offensive, two or three delicate ballads and a few rock anthems that show the entire Seattle scene what a song and what a melody is. One of the most compelling albums to come out of the American alternative rock scene in a year when grunge was the word of the day.