Bump-N'-Uglies--So Powerful..So Beautiful
Steel Cage 2003
When one thinks of rock n' wrestling, inevitably, visions of that horrible old cartoon show centered around hated face Hulk Hogan will spring to mind. Schooled marks will know there were good results from this concept, though--like the Fabulous Freebirds "Badstreet U.S.A." recording. In recent times, the WWE has tried to revive this trend with fiascos like the Originals CD. Thankfully, we have a band like the Bump-N'-Uglies to come along and get it right, as they do on their new album So Powerful...So Beautiful.
The Bump-N'-Uglies sound is formed from an interesting hybrid. At its core, their brand of punk rock n' roll comes from the same brutally thuggish school of thought as Rancid Vat and Antiseen. Fans of those bands will find lots to like about So Powerful...So Beautiful. At the same time, there is the ever slightest gleam of pop sensibility in these tunes, which you'd normally associate with with bands from the Epitaph roster. It doesn't negate the album's ferocity, but does make it a palatable listen for fans on either side of the equation.
From a songwriting standpoint, So Powerful...So Beautiful couldn't get much better than it already is. Listeners looking for something a little more immediate and hooky will love tracks like "What We Do" and "Where Morons Dare (These Aren't The Days)." Those craving sheer bloodlust will be appeased by the opening "Is It Fake...(The Sad Sordid Tale Of Dr. D David Schultz)" and "(Theme From A) Chairshot." "Elena" is the most traditionally rocking of the bunch, cultivating a bit of latter day Humpers vibe, while the album closing "Loser Leaves Town" comes off like some great punk rock western, thanks to its standoffish tale. All the while, wrestling marks get the added bonus of geeking out to brilliant lyrical turns like those in "It Ain't Cheatin' (If The Ref Ain't Lookin')"--"I think it's funny/you're going to Jack Tunney/causing a racket/cause I hit you with a tennis racket." Fantastic.
For fans of any the aforementioned bands or styles, So Powerful...So Beautiful will be a must. Pro wrestling nerds (myself included) will be especially grateful to the Bump-N'-Uglies for crafting such a fun, non-cheesy take on the rock n' wresting concept hatched so long ago. Either way, get your ass to the record store and buy this disc, you pencil necked geek (Freddie Blassie, R.I.P.). You won't be sorry.
Score this CD directly from STEEL CAGE
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