Uzeda wastes no time in bursting out of the gate with a very groovy, catchy tune entitled "Hallucinated Games". This is the kind of song that pats a seat next to it and invites you to sit down, meet the other nine members of the musical family. Hailing from Italy and bearing a sound that predated the alternative slop that permeated the 90s, Uzeda's practical but stylish songwriting as well as enthusiastic playing make this album a nice little treat. There are some hints at Sonic Youth with the jangly guitars, but a lot of other influences slide by quite smoothly, allowing Uzeda to sound like no one in particular aside from themselves. Singer Giovanna Cacciola has a fairly throaty, strong voice and fortunately does not allow herself to wallow in breathy girlie nonsense. The musicians are given plenty of space in the production to allow for a large, airy and wide open sound that resonates warmly. Uzeda probably should have been given a little more attention throughout the nineties as they simply wrote and performed good songs.

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 05/1999

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