Ut
Reissues are an interesting thing. Why choose to reissue at all? Obviously the timeless classics will always have an audience but many reissues simply are not classics. When do you choose to reissue? Many do so because a band is reforming or touring but I do not believe this is the case here. Who will buy it? Again, this one leaves me wondering. This is not because Ut are bad, far from it, they were a quite enjoyable distraction, it is simply because I have never heard of Ut and wonder where there market lies in the musical world of 2006. However, although it may be a somewhat bizarre reissue, this is not a bad album by any stretch of the imagination.
It's hard to compare Ut to much else frankly, perhaps this is due to this being a reissue from the 80's, a time when the musical landscape was very different to now, or perhaps this is due to my lack of experience with the genre, but Ut to me seem to be offering something quite different. A mixture of low-key guitars mix with the female vocals of singer Nina Canal which at times somehow reminded me of artists like Courtney Love in their punky stylings to create an interesting little mix which is unfortunately hampered by a rather... 80's production job. The entirety of this CD is quite low-key infact, never reaching any sort of crescendo and being content to meander in each song's own little dynamism. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is a matter of opinion, really.
The production doesn't do this album any favours however, the recording all sounds quite flat, bland and monotone. Everything is at the same level and any dynamic in Ut's songwriting is stifled by this dampening effect in the production, making the whole album just plod by without creating any real effect. Furthermore, the drums, which should give, some form of substantial rhythm to any music seem almost paper-thin and insubstantial, not want we want really, is it?
Overall then, whilst the issue of it even resurfacing confuses me I am not at all upset that Ut has reissued this album. Whilst it is not my usual style of music at all I can see alot of merit in this CD, and yes, whilst it is hampered by a poor production job it is still worth a listen. If you want some interesting female-led alternative rock, Ut might well do the trick for you.