Rough Edge: Uranium 235 CD Reviews

URANIUM 235

"Cultural Minority" (Lightyear/Mystic Music; 2000)

Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

Uranium 235 plays post-industrial trance rock that incorporates large doses of '80s alternative pop smarts, '90s electronica, and modern metal into driving rhythms and danceable beats. A bit trendy perhaps, but it's very diverse and effective. New York City seems to be a hotbed for this kind of music lately, so it's no surprise that Uranium 235 have honed their craft in NYC's musical melting pot.

Overall, the music is quite panoramic - it's like a cross-breed of many genetic sources. Hints of ambient creep in ("Here It Comes"), Marilyn Manson-type influences ("Walk On Through"), while some Goth influences in the vein of Type O Negative's more recent work is also evident. Pure dance beats ("God Thing") and electronica ("Stimulation") give the CD a stiff feel, but enough restraint keeps these eclectic forays from straying too far outside rock/metal realm. Hard rock makes its presence know on tracks like "Radio Shut Down" and "Uranium 235." At other times the tracks do two things at once: for instance, "Creator" is a dance-inducing number that still has fever guitars to rattle your bones.

What makes Uranium 235 as frustrating as 52 pick-up is the fact that the guitars aren't beefy enough. If the guitars had more punch the songs would simply explode out of the speakers instead of just bubble like so much techno-filler that proliferates the airwaves.

Uranium 235 show guts by covering Dead Or Alive's mid-'80s alterna-pop "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)." Uranium 235's treatment of the song seems like a novelty throwaway, but the band makes a modern update of this '80s classic with style.

Shane Uranium is as versatile a vocalist as I've heard in recent years. Albeit the genres are completely different is wouldn't be a stretch to say that the vocals are as versatile as Rob Halford's vocals. Shane Uranium reminds me of a bastard mix of Warrior Soul's Kory Clarke, Saigon Kick's Matt Kramer, and Type O Negative's Peter Steele.

I actually enjoyed "Cultural Minority," but I doubt that Rough Edge readers would expect me to actually love this disc. Only fans of post-industrial efforts like Dope "Felons And Revolutionaries" or Full On The Mouth's "Collide" would enjoy this CD. Uranium 235 is the perfect band for those of you who like a wide array of influences with your musical experience.

Uranium 235 is Shane U235 on vocals, Matt Brown on guitar and backing vocals, Robert Steele on drums, Chris Bride on keyboards, and Jimmy McConnell on bass.

For more information visit http://www.uranium235.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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