Ugly
Screaming Females · 2012
53 min · 14 tracks · punk rock
Raw guitar riffs intertwine with fierce vocals, creating a dynamic punk rock landscape that is both chaotic and melodic.
Top tracks — play these first
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Rotten Apple — This track encapsulates the album's raw energy with its driving rhythm and piercing lyrics that critique societal norms. The juxtaposition of aggressive instrumentation against reflective themes makes it a standout piece.
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High — With its infectious hooks and anthemic chorus, this track showcases the band's ability to balance catchy melodies with punk intensity. It's a perfect representation of their evolving sound.
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Doom 84 — Clocking in at over seven minutes, this track explores darker themes through its expansive structure, blending intricate guitar work with escalating emotional intensity. It serves as a bold conclusion to the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production, balancing aggression with melody, though it doesn't fully stand out in the punk genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with aggressive guitar riffs and driving rhythms, while the second half introduces more melodic elements and varied tempos.
- Vocals alternate between fierce shouting and melodic singing, often within the same track, creating a dynamic contrast.
- Several tracks incorporate unexpected tempo changes, such as 'Expire', which shifts from a fast pace to a slower, more contemplative section.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- raw energy for cathartic release
- short bursts of intense emotion
- frantic pace with melodic undertones
- late-night angst and reflection
- dynamic shifts in intensity
Maybe skip if you
- prefer smooth, polished sounds
- seek predictable song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2012, Ugly marked Screaming Females' fourth studio album, following their critically acclaimed record, Castle Talk. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their presence in the punk rock scene, showcasing a matured sound while maintaining their DIY ethos.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mitski· Patti Smith· Deerhoof
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Help Me
The chorus features a sudden shift in tone where vulnerability surfaces amidst layers of distortion and urgency. This moment starkly contrasts the surrounding …
By elevating personal desperation within a sonic whirlwind, this moment underscores the album's exploration of inner turmoil against an external backdrop.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 It All Means Nothing 4:10
- 2 Rotten Apple 2:57
- 3 Extinction 3:11
- 4 Red Hand 3:52
- 5 High 3:57
- 6 Expire 3:35
- 7 Crow’s Nest 2:58
- 8 Tell Me No 2:49
- 9 Leave It All Up to Me 4:58
- 10 Doom 84 7:38
- 11 Help Me 4:42
- 12 Something Ugly 2:41
- 13 Slow Birth 3:38
- 14 It’s Nice 2:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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