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/ Los Angeles Alternative
Udora
I caught this band live for the first time a few months ago at the Cat Club-not exactly the best venue in which to be plunged into the depths of RAWK, sure. But what impressed me the most about this L.A. based quartet was that they played the gig as if they were onstage at the friggin' Staples Center in front of 20,000 fans. Udora, originally from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, have a story begging to be over-dramatized in a VH1 Behind The Music episode: Four young guys beat 1,500 other acts to win a "Battle of the Bands" in Brazil, then get to play the Rock in Rio festival in front of 250,000 people, pack up their stuff, move to L.A. with no money, find a van and a dirty mattress on the side of the road and call it home, get signed to a major label and subsequently released from the deal in the blink of an eye, met up with producer Thom Russo (Audioslave, System of a Down), record an AMAZING debut album with no label backing and have the majors sniffing around them once again. Songs from their Liberty Square LP are getting tastemaker radio play at stations across the U.S. (including, of course, Indie 103.1), they've got a video in rotation on IMF (the new 24-7 music video channel airing on the Dish Network) and they're currently gearing up for a tour of the West Coast. Look, Udora isn't another dime-a-dozen, skinny tie-wearing, residency at Spaceland-having, Echo Park band - this is straight-forward, relatable, mass-appeal Alt-rock that will have even the hippest of hipsters as a closet fan before the first half of '06 has bitten the dust. Check out their website - www.udora.com
Sau'de!
Mike Savage is the co-host of "Passport Approved", the two-hour import music show airing every Saturday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Indie 103.1 FM
- Los Angeles Alternative
www.melodic.net
Udora
"Liberty Square"
(Independent)
Released: 2005
Producer: Thom Russo
Style: Modern rock
Format: Album
Website: www.udora.com
Reviewed by: Johan Wippsson
http://www.melodic.net/reviewsOne.asp?revnr=4060
When I’m say that the best independent album of 2005 is made by a band from Brazil I guess that it comes as big surprise for most of you out there. The land of Pele and Copacabana, samba and bossa is not that known for delivering high-class modern rock, but this is a BIG exception I can tell you.
This magnificent album is a killer from start to end with no filler tunes at all. Imagine Foo Fighters “real” rock edge mixed up with some Canadian modern rock ala Our Lady Peace and a dose of Dishwalla’s U2 influences and we’re quite close musically. Catchy, but not in a commercial way, edgy, but always controlled and perfectly balanced is the key, such as the personal sound.
If you have anything with the bands that I mentioned above, “Liberty Square” is an album that you got to have.
I’m really surprised why these guys aren’t signed yet because this is damn good classic rock that will last for a long time. One reason might be that the labels just signs hip bands today with a sound somewhere around Coldplay or some 80’s stylish band. Very boring and uninspiring if you’ll ask me, but that´s the business I guess.
I should mention that the band has been working Bob Marlette and Gavin McKillop, but none of them has put the final touches here. Instead Thom Russo (System Of A Down, Johnny Cash, Audioslave) has taking care of that and has done a brilliant job with a perfect production that is pure rock from the first tunes of “Liberty Square”.
I guess that you’ll understand my message with this review, this isn’t an album that you can live without. Get it at: www.cdbaby.com/udora
melodic.net/reviewsOne.asp?revnr=4060
- www.melodic.net
/ Liberty Square gets another 5 star review from Se7en Magazine
It's rare to find a CD that has as much grit from beginning to end and everywhere in between. Most artists, as of late, have begun to rely on a few great singles in hopes of radio play; leaving the rest of their Albums falling short of the mark. Such is NOT the case with the Brazilian born rock band UDORA's Debut Album 'Liberty Square'. Rushing out the gate at first listen, you are hit with the polished sounds of American Rock'n Roll juxtaposed with their Native Bossa Nova sensibility. Track after track, expresses heavy hitting melody lines and lyrical prowess infused with straight up Rock 'n Roll passion. Songs like "Beautiful Game", "Light in a Hole" and "Phantom Limb" take you down their long winding road. It's a journey full of crooked turns punctuated by pure drive and determination. It's an album with nothing left to lose and everything to gain. Each track as solid as the next. Undoubtably one of the best CD's out there, one that enjoys continous play. Better buy two, you'll probably wear out the first one.
Bree Michael Warner - Contributor for Se7en Magazine
5 out of 5 stars - Se7en Magazine
// Liberty Square gets a 5 star review
Tony Sison, ALL ACCESS MAGAZINE
UDORA Liberty Square © 2005 Zegruvita Music
The debut release from the Brazilian rock quartet known as UDORA, 'Liberty Square' showcases an original yet familiar sound that fits perfectly into today's Modern Rock music scene. Udora is powered by Gustavo Drummond: vocals & guitars / Thiago Correa: bass & vocals / Leonardo Marques:lead guitars / Jean Dolabella: drums. With a live show that has the explosive caress of a velvet hand grenade Udora is determined to reach the masses and is ready to take the world on by storm.
Udora brings something back to rock that has been missing for years, well written rock songs that are catchy and will move in way unimaginable. Their songs will move you with hook laden grooves and stimulating beats by taking the sound of 80's rock and 90's alternative harder edge and have created one of the most refreshing sounds on the scene in years. And, unlike many bands today, Udora sticks to the basics of two guitars, one bass and one drums. No more, no less. 'Liberty Square' is truly a great album from start to finish. Every song on this album has one of those song-of-the-moment songs. (You know, the song you can't get enough of for a certain period of time). As is evident once you hit play and the lead off track, "The Beautiful Game", shoots out of your speakers Udora have your undivided attention. All 14 tracks that make up this album are great, however there are standouts like, "Light In the Hole" , "Fade Away", the groove laden , "Breathing Life", "Pieces" and "The Song You'll Never Hear".
I strongly suggest 'Liberty Square' to anyone looking for really good music, unlike all the garbage on the radio right now. If Udora were aiming to bring their high energy, fun loving, rocking you out off your socks live performances to a stereo near you, then they fully achieved their goal and in doing so, captured the essence of what great music is and what a great rock band is and should be. UDORA is THE REAL DEAL. - Tony Sison, All Access Magazine - All Access Magazine
UDORA
Aug 13, 2006, 4:06am
Journey to Liberty Square
Take soaring melodies, mix them with expressive vocals and introspective lyrics ripe with imagery, top them off with driving guitars and drums and you have the winning formula that constucts the basis of Udora's Liberty Square. However, the debut release of the California-based rockers who originally hail from Belo Horizonte, Brazil is far from formulaic. The music doesn't convey the image of "the next big thing" as much as a "lasting thing".
All of the songs on the album flow from the pen of lead vocalist/guitarist Gustavo Drummond and he unleashes some beautiful work on a disc devoid of filler. The songs are radio-friendly, but don't necessarily reflect what's popular. There's a classic element throughout the album that ensures these songs will still sound as good 5, 10, or 15 years from now. Prime cuts include "The Beautiful Game", "Light In the Hole", "Breathing Life", and "Pieces", but the entire album is strong and exhilarating - a veritable emotional freefall.
If Liberty Square has a theme, it seems to center around living life to the fullest in the face of adversity. That may sound like a common sentiment, but it's expressed in a fresh, creative manner. The lyrics can appeal to anyone, but they're not generic. Udora isn't concerned with trends - instead the band is focused on creating great music. Ultimately, that's what listeners want from artists. Drummond claims that Liberty Square is about the journey; consider the members of Udora well on their way.
http://www.musicfreedom.com/feedback/view/?id=e72d8baf800d4c2c183bc577fb90283e155 - www.musicfreedom.com
Discography
Udora - Liberty Square - 2006
The Beautiful Game - KROQ - LA, Indie 103.1 LA and many other rock radio stations through the US and South America.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Udora and their debut brings a unique blend of Rock, Bossa Nova along with singer Gustavo Drummond's soul-searching lyrics, to a broad audience. The image depicted on the album cover shows a path. Although were striving for an end result, its the process of getting there thats most important. The road that has to be traveled is both grim and enlightening, and to conquer your goals in life, you need to be focused on the journey, not only on the destination., says Gustavo. Back home in Brazil, Liberty Square - the historical landmark, was always perceived as a symbol and a refuge to the chaotic lifestyle in Belo Horizonte. On their debut album, Udora finds deeper meanings to those words. "Liberty Square represents the physical place where we came from, but more importantly, it also represents a state of mind, a metaphor for what weve always dreamed to become." says Gustavo Drummond, the bands lead singer/songwriter. The story begins in Brazil at their defining point playing the Rock in Rio Festival, the largest concert ever held in South America. Udora battled and beat over 1,500 bands for the main prize of performing in front of a crowd of 250,000 people. The exposure at the festival led to a successful tour where they sold over 10,000 self-released CD's over more than 150 shows. With the bands raw power and range of musical sensibilities, Liberty Square showcases an original yet familiar sound, that fits perfectly into today's Alternative Rock music scene. With a live show that has the explosive caress of a velvet hand grenade, Udora is determined to reach the end of this journey in order to embrace a much greater one.
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