UltraViolet Uforia

Hammond and other 70's organ sounds and very very good guitar work help to place UVU's release, Shadow of the Sun among one of the better ones in 2006. What is amazing is the way they can sound so faithful to the 70's and to the bands they are usually referenced to yet at the same time sound so credible and fresh. It's the kind of thing where you almost want to say they look forward to the sound of the 70's because their success at what they do should not be dimished by the word backwards.
You cannot listen through this album without having the Grateful Dead, early Roxy Music, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Neal Young and the Doors pass through your ears. I have given and continue to give this CD plays on my CD player and in my car and this Washington band is one which I hope tours to the midwest because I really would like to hear them live.

Though I have been listening to this album for many months now I have delayed writing this review. In the process I have had the opportunity to read a number of reviews on quite a few web sites. The impression about and the reaction to Shadow of the Sun is very consistent and I realized that as a result, I have little new to add to the discussion. So, instead of remaining silent let me add my voice to the chorus of impressed listeners: Bravo gentlemen and thanks for a really fine album!

DB Silver
- www.proggnosis.com

Psychedelic, progressive rock, and even the slightest hint of new age music. Reminds me a little bit of Dark Side era Pink Floyd. Sounds very sincere... - Taxi

We thouroughly enjoyed ourselves...we had people in the crowd who had been to over 300 Dead shows. We have not danced like that since Jerry died! Thank you for bringing back the Dead and....thank you for a real GOOD time!!!
--Mark J.
Whistler, BC
8/31/2007 - Gigmasters.com

Psychedelic music to me has always been a hit and miss. Sometimes it’s so out there that I often wonder if the ‘players’ just turn on their instruments and bash at them but then there are times when it’s done so well that there’s actual song structure to the music. UltraViolet Uforia is one of the bands that does it right. Thus making each listen more and more enjoyable. UltraViolet Uforia’s music reminds me of many bands including The Doors, early Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead (of the limited exposure I’ve had) and The Allman Brothers. Modern bands that UltraViolet Uforia could be similar to are Phish, Umphreys’ McGee and The Carpet Knights, Mr. Brown and others on the Swedish label, Transubstans Records.
If you’re into modern or classic psychedelic spacey music then look no further than UltraViolet Uforia and their 2006 release Shadow of the Sun. I went to their website and there they have several free downloads including covers of songs by Pink Floyd, Nirvana, The Grateful Dead, Bob Marley and The Cure. You can also check out songs from Shadow of the Sun at the band’s page over at myspace.com.

UltraViolet Uforia are, in my opinion a band that bridges the past with the present without sounding dated. In fact I find them quite a refreshing alternative to many of the mainstream’s manufactured bands to ’angry’ music. I would recommend UltraViolet Uforia to the bands mentioned above and to those with an adventurous yet laid-back attitude about music.

Reviewed by Ron Fuchs - www.Prognaut.com

uVu's Shadow of the Sun is band's Magnum Opus!

Reviewer: Len Jennings

Shadow of the Sun is UltraViolet Uforia's finest collection to date. The production is nothing short of excellent. The musicianship is top-notch. The performances on this record are definitely the highest caliber the band has managed to capture. This record really shows the band's emotive side. But where these recordings really shine is in the song writing. These songs will stick in your brain, even after only one listen. They are chock full of hooks. Just listen to "High Roller" with lyrics like "With an outside chance on inside track / I’ll wager it all and get ten times back / It’s against the odds but I’m never stuck / Every leap in the dark is a stroke of luck." And every song from "Genesis Theory" to "Uforia" is equally well crafted. If you are a fan of The Doors, Pink Floyd or the Grateful Dead you will love this album. UltraViolet Uforia has really found their way to embrace their roots and at the same time find their own sound in the midst of their most ambitious songs. This is truly their “must have” CD. They prove beyond a shadow of a doubt (or is that sun) they are at the top of their game!
- CDbaby

If you can imagine a Technicolor blend of Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead and some of Bryan Ferry’s solo work, you should be able to grasp the sound of Washington state’s UltraViolet Uforia. Throw in a little Widespread Panic, Allman Brothers and Quicksilver Messenger Service and you have a perfect excuse to pull out your lava lamp and that ‘Tye dye’ t-shirt your wife has tried to hide from you! OK, the music on Shadow of the Sun is not that simplistic, but it’s definitely a throw back to the sounds of the late 60’s early 70’s.
There is some good stuff to be found here. Saving the Light is very reminiscent of Bryan Ferry/ Roxy Music while the Floydian Out Goes the Light (do I detect a concept here?) is a highlight with it’s atmospheric Dark Side of the Moon percussion and eerie keys. My only wish would be for a little more color from the vocals. They are adequate for the material, but at times they can be monotonous. A minor gripe, but something I hope they improve on for the next release.

Eric- Proggnosis - www.proggnosis.com

UltraViolet Uforia was not only fantastic to work with, they played an awesome set too!!! I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a group that will provide great music!! Thanks to gigmasters for providing this great service!!! Linda Anderson of The Stadium HS Centennial Celebration Foundation who will soon be registered with the Guiness Book Of World Records for the world's largest HS reunion!!!

-- Linda Anderson
Tacoma Stadium High School Reunion, Tacoma, Washington - Gigmasters.com

This band's music was excellent. The bands member went out of their way to provide not only the best music, but provide excellent technical information and execution to make our event the best it could be. We had 5 bands and this band aided all other bands technically and professionally to make our event a success. Thank You and Thank UltraViolet Uforia. I would recommend this band to anyone for the technical, professional and musical abilities and efforts.

--Bill Duckworth
Waitsburg, WA - Gigmaster

What do you get when you cross the trippy, psychedelic jam-band flavor of The Grateful Dead with the far reaching, adventurous space rock of Pink Floyd or Eloy, and the gritty hard rock of Blue Oyster Cult? Probably something pretty close to Shadow of the Sun, the latest album from UltraViolet Uforia. More rocking and certainly more progressive than your normal run-of-the-mill jam band, UltraViolet really push the boundaries of their keyboards/guitar/bass/drums configuration, as they have produced here a dozen highly melodic songs dripping with virtuoso improvisation, tight rhythms, and bright, catchy hooks.

The spirit of Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead permeate the upbeat opener "Genesis Theory", a song that also contains a fair share of spacey synth work, and "Saving the Light" features some swirling synths and Dire Straits influenced guitar work. "Out Goes the Light" sounds almost like a cross between The Doors and Eloy, with lilting guitar chords, droning vocals, and vintage 70's styled synth passages from Michael Canary. Laid back blues rock is featured on "High Roller", which features some stellar guitar work from both Steven Webb and Simon Connor, as well as tasty electric piano from Canary. Shades of Robin Trower era Procol Harum can be heard on the moody guitar and organ driven "Charity", and pure country rock comes to the forefront on the rootsy "Restless And Lonely". The band returns to progressive space rock on "Down The Drain.....?", a great Pink Floyd influenced number with stabbing guitar solos and dreamy keyboards, and drive home plenty of emotional jam-band styles on the rockin' "Uforia", a real "get down and party" type of song that also contains plenty of hot soloing.

Shadow of the Sun is an all-around fun and varied listen that is sure to turn the jam-band scene upside down. Featuring plenty of ripping instrumental playing and a myriad of different rock flavors, it's a CD that will appeal to any lover of fun and adventurous music.

Reviewer: Pete Pardo - SeaOfTranquility.org

Artist: UltraViolet Uforia

CD: Shadow of the Sun

Home: Sammamish, Washington

Style: Psychedelic

Quote: "Tolstoy postulated that art is beauty that elevates, and that perfectly defines this CD."

By Robb Loving

On a “chill scale” of one to ten, UltraViolet Uforia’s Shadow of the Sun hits freezing at 32.

Yeah, it’s that cool.

Remember Jerry? Remember the way Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms grabbed your soul? Remember how your first Floyd album set you free? UltraViolet Uforia never forgot, and from the first listen I was taken back to a time where my only place in the world was a small bedroom with my headphones and a blacklit Wonderland poster.

With bluesy, psy-trippy melodies and haunted vocals, Shadow of the Sun instantly soothes the savage beast, bringing perspective and calm to a hung-up day. Tolstoy postulated that art is beauty that elevates, and that perfectly defines this CD. It’s mellow, without being slow; serious and thoughtful, without being maudlin. On tracks like “Dog House Days” and "Distant Star," there are seamless pairings of those two most opposite emotions—sadness and joy—that are wrenching in their living, breathing prettiness.

Shadow of the Sun has not left my player in over a week, and I’m sure you will feel the same. Take my advice and check it out.

P.S.—Don’t forget the incense.


- Indie-Music.com

Artist: UltraViolet Uforia

CD: Shadow of the Sun

Home: Sammamish, Washington

Style: Psychedelic

Quote: "Tolstoy postulated that art is beauty that elevates, and that perfectly defines this CD."

By Robb Loving

On a “chill scale” of one to ten, UltraViolet Uforia’s Shadow of the Sun hits freezing at 32.

Yeah, it’s that cool.

Remember Jerry? Remember the way Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms grabbed your soul? Remember how your first Floyd album set you free? UltraViolet Uforia never forgot, and from the first listen I was taken back to a time where my only place in the world was a small bedroom with my headphones and a blacklit Wonderland poster.

With bluesy, psy-trippy melodies and haunted vocals, Shadow of the Sun instantly soothes the savage beast, bringing perspective and calm to a hung-up day. Tolstoy postulated that art is beauty that elevates, and that perfectly defines this CD. It’s mellow, without being slow; serious and thoughtful, without being maudlin. On tracks like “Dog House Days” and "Distant Star," there are seamless pairings of those two most opposite emotions—sadness and joy—that are wrenching in their living, breathing prettiness.

Shadow of the Sun has not left my player in over a week, and I’m sure you will feel the same. Take my advice and check it out.

P.S.—Don’t forget the incense.


- Indie-Music.com