Flotsam and Jetsam – Ugly Noise

Band: Flotsam and Jetsam
Album: Ugly Noise  
Record Label: Metal Blade records
Release Date: 16th April 2013
Reviewed By: Matt

Track listing

 1. Ugly Noise
 2. Gitty Up
 3. Run and Hide
 4. Carry on
 5. Rabbits foot
 6. Play Your Part
 7. Motherfuckery
 8. I Believe
 9. To Be Free
10. Machine Gun    

80’s rockers Flotsam and Jetsam are back with their 11th full length album and back into the fold are original members Micheal Gilbert on guitar and Kelly Smith on drums.

From the off with the album you can tell this is an eighties band, the feel and overview of the album definitely takes you back to that time when rock music stood high with some of the tracks still defined in that age. Does that mean the albums dated? No if anything it’s the strength and core throughout and it immediately demands a second listen, then a third….. The structure of the album comes over as straight forward hard rock and from the opener and title track “Ugly Noise” the album takes it’s steps forward.

There are some simplistic lyrics here but as said from the start this is straightforward rock. Singer Eric Knutson at times is reminiscent of Dio and from the rest of the band there are some fine elements of musicianship, styles and comparisons like some early Helloween and Overkill hints especially some guitar parts.

“Motherfuckery” is an upbeat grinding guitar song  that I think epitomizes the album. Where some albums you review and have to absorb a few times this is a goer from the start and the best way I can describe this is by a movie comparison, some films you have to be in the mood for, some films take a lot of attention and you have to think about, and some films you just love for the fact you can put them on watch some good old fashioned action and excitement and just enjoy the ride – This is one of those movies, – don’t think, just listen, revel and rage!

Score: 8 out of 10

Readers Album Score: {extravote 1}