Press for ‘Kill You Again’ album 2013:

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ULYSSES WIN CLASSIC ROCK MAGAZINE ‘TRACK OF THE WEEK FEATURE’ WITH A STUNNING 37.4% OF THE VOTE BEATING BLACK SABBATH TWICE!!!:

8/10 REVIEW FOR ‘KILL YOU AGAIN’ ALBUM IN CLASSIC ROCK MAGAZINE JULY 2013 ISSUE:

“Somewhere between T-Rex glam ‘n’ roll and Beatles psychedelia, Ulysses have what so many lack - fantastic songs’.

10 OUT OF 10 ALBUM REVIEW IN POWERPLAY MAGAZINE:

“Ulysses, or Odysseus if you prefer, was a great warrior, famed for his exploits in the Trojan war and credited with the horse of the same name.

Appropriately, that’s what this Ulysses do: face you with sunny, 60s melodies and then when in your house, unpack all sorts of infectious oddness that you’ll never quite shake off. This album is quite brilliant.

Head turning when supporting Rival Sons recently, attention piquing when arriving a couple of years ago, we surely couldn’t have been expecting this.
The Beach Boys harmonies, the light garage feel, the stomping glam is all there, but so are the tunes. Ulysses let themselves roam where it feels good and they beg you to do so.
As the gorgeous music is so seductive, you may not need much persuasion. This is a trip, but one which always states it’s destination and arrives there; it’s not a mess or a wilful slop, this is pop and rock at it’s most precise.
‘Mrs Drawnel’ is light and fun, no need to worry or question, whilst ‘Strays’ is a shouting, rabble rousing thing which never wanders away from the arms of MOR and caresses with those saccharine harmonics. The title track asks it’s partner to cover him, kicks open a door and screams “freeze!” whilst rocking a Zapata, so much of a cop drama which even gently skanks, leaving space for Donovan to take over the turntable for ‘L.O.V.E. Yeah’ with beautiful, mellifluous whimsy, a wig out guitar bringing the comedown. It’s not all brilliant, ‘French Japanese’ is a repetitive lethargic bore, but mainly so.
Electric keys on ‘Dominoes Ace’, stomping platforms on ‘Lesson One’, Stevie Salas funky jams in ‘Oh Yeah (Uh Huh Huh)’, all are great. Even the titles are stupendous.
Take a chance with these gents. They’re avowedly English, beautifully odd and achingly sweet. What more could you want as summer approaches?”
10/10 / Steve Swift / Powerplay Magazine / July 2013

ULYSSES TOP 3 ALBUM OF 2013 ON POWER POP REVIEW BEST OFS!
http://powerpopreview.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/powerpop-reviews-very-best-of-2013.html

HARMONIC DISTORTION MAGAZINE ALBUM REVIEW:

“Delving into rock’s salad days for inspiration is of course nothing new. The Darkness were seemingly on the verge of world domination a few years back with their cheeky blend of Thin Lizzy riffs and Mercury-esque camp. Rather than taking their cues from such big-hitters, Bath-based quartet Ulysses have opted to dig a little deeper into rock’s back pages for a sound that never tries to be cool, but is a lot more fun than what most current bands have to offer. It’s not difficult to guess what makes up their record collection, no doubt a healthy mix of low-rent glam, stompy powerpop and the catchier end of classic rock. There are echoes of Slade’s Coz I Luv You, (on the opening chords of Oranges & Mary), Steppenwolf’s The Pusher (on French/Japanese), and The Move’s Flowers In The Rain (on L.O.V.E. Yeah) along with a cod-reggae section on the title track, worthy of Paul McCartney’s Wings.

It’s the Wings comparison that’s most on the mark, the band’s songs straddling the line between rock and pop, with a sense of fun that sometimes borders on endearingly daft, just like the ones Sir Macca used to write. Factor in some rather ace harmonies, the odd musical joke and and an off-the-wall dress sense and you’ve a recipe for something rather ace. What really makes the record is not their repackaging of rock’s past into a fun present day version but the fact that they write really good, hook-laden tunes, along with grade-A killer lyrics. A few spins of this album and you’ll be whistling/singing/humming them all week.

The band will be appearing at The International Pop Overthrow festival in Liverpool in May. It’s a great indoors festival which takes place at the Cavern Club and Cavern pub, and a chance to catch loads of brilliant bands at a bargain price. Ulysses play on Saturday 18^th May. Do yourself a favour and go check them out. If you can’t make it buy this album instead, it won’t disappoint.”

ALL ACCESS MAGAZINE USA ALBUM REVIEW:

“It’s been 2 years since their debut ‘Everybody’s Strange’ and once again on their 2nd record, those witty Britty power popsters Ulysses bring us music worth listening to. Action packed with slightly heavier than usual drums, hey check this out guitar solos and driving bass lines, all hidden behind sugary coated lead and backing vocals. These are well written songs with tongue in cheek lyrics, telling stories involving characters (“Mrs.Drawnel”, “Dominoes Ace” and “April Showers”) and situations that could be from any era, just like the music. Folks this is psychedelic power pop with the foot stomping beats of glam rock minus the glitter. The four UK musicians (who all can sing apparently) Luke Smyth on vocals/guitars, Julyan Wells-Cathedral on bass, Tom Sartoryal on guitars/percussion and Shane Maxymus drums , rock and roll up their sleeves, showing off their skills and influences like tattoos. From the opening panned rhythm guitar/lead riffs, to the pounding drum fills, you know this production means business. Do both guitarists play lead? I don’t know, but if so, listen to the duel on the title track “Kill You Again” and the wah induced solo on their Sweet tribute to the glamness of yesteryear called “L.O.V.E. Yeah” and the closing track “Oh Yeah (Uh Huh Huh). Give them a listen and step back in time on a trip from the 60’s on through the arenas of the 70’s and right into your media player of the present. What a cool trip it’s been. Highly Recommended! The Rocker @ The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine

SPOT-ON REVIEW FROM STRANGE BREW MAGAZINE:

ACE SHINDIG! MAGAZINE REVIEW:

“Two years on from their Everybody’s Strange debut, Ulysses’ second outing rebakes the melodic, superpop, glam-rock cake without leaving it out in the rain. When I say pop, we’re talking the little-bit-heavy sort once purveyed by goliaths like Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, 10cc, Thin Lizzy, Hot Chocolate (yes!) and that guy who wrote ‘Band On The Run': pop for adults - arranged, played and sung by four master craftsmen, led by frontman Luke Smith, who ain’t no square with his corkscrew hair. It’s good to hear early live favourite ‘Lesson One’ included alongside 11 new killers (sorry). “The single” has to be ‘April Showers’ - as dandy and catchy a tune as I’ve heard in a long while. I’ve written of my love of this act previously in these pages and, at the risk of repeating myself, Ulysses are indeed startling good. Can you hear me, Somerset? You can keep your Wurzels; I’m taking Ulysses and not giving them back.”

VIC TEMPLAR

5 OUT OF 5 STAR REVIEW ON POP GEEK HEAVEN:

“Whereas the first record had a sort of blues/boogie undertone, Kill You Again is more overtly power-pop as on the Hollies-like ‘April Showers’. Elsewhere the boys turn up the heat on their two-guitar attack, weaving complex helixes on the title track and ‘L.O.V.E. Yeah’. This is an old-fashioned rock album in that the whole thing hangs together like something from the Jefferson Airplane or the Stones, but with unexpected harmonic flourishes that the Stones would never attempt. ‘Dominoes Ace’ and ‘Lesson One’ are pure Ulysses – they sound like no one else. ‘Taxi Driver’, which quotes ‘Baby You Can Drive My Car’ on the intro, will get your motor running. Play this in the car at your peril. And ‘Oh Yeah’ combines the elemental appeal of the Stones with that unique Ulysses sound. Certain to end up on my Ten Best list.”

Five stars. MIKE BARON

GREAT REVIEW IN SOUND OF CONFUSION MAGAZINE:

“Despite being a record of original tracks released this year, Ulysses could easily have existed in the ’60s or early ’70s. Theirs is a style of songwriting that you don’t hear too often these days, something the Bath-based band acknowledge if you check the list of influences on their website. They’re not afraid to use their guitars and don’t shy away from the odd solo, but there’s nothing indulgent about this set of three or four-minute-long pop tunes. The production on the ‘Kill You Again’, and possibly the fact that it was recorded in this current day, both prevent this from becoming a nostalgia session, and you couldn’t be fooled into thinking it was a genuine musical relic.

Even the subjects of the songs take influence from the past. The Beatles, early Pink Floyd and others were known to write songs based around interesting character’s (‘Nowhere Man’, ‘The Fool On The Hill’ ‘Mr Kite’/’Arnold Layne’, ‘See Emily Play’, ‘Matilda Mother’ and so on) and we’re taken back to that point with opening track ‘Mrs Drawnel’ (“take off your face, it’s probably best to put it back in its case” has a hint of ‘Eleanor Rigby’ to it, lyrically at least) and this is followed by ‘Oranges & Mary’, another ’60s-style psych-rock tune; later on we’re introduced to ‘Taxi Driver’, a song that nicks its “beep beep yeah!” from ‘Drive My Car’. You could spend the entire album plucking out references to other songs, but that’s all part of the plan, a nod to the music that they love.

You can pick out other bands: The Move, T. Rex, Thin Lizzy… the rock vibe of that era is stamped all over ‘Kill You Again’ as it flirts between glam (‘L.O.V.E. Yeah’, ‘Lesson One’) and more traditional, if slightly madcap, rock tunes (‘Strays’, ‘Dominoes Ace’). What makes this a unique record is that, although so many guitar bands are turning to psychedelia at the moment, most are picking one specific variety of the genre. Ulysses have chosen a totally different one, and they also rely heavily on writing good songs. No time is filled with spaced-out jams or any such padding techniques. They stay true to their own idiosyncratic methods, which do include beg, borrow and stealing, and have made an album that proves they were right to do so.”

KEV SOUND OF CONFUSION.

BAND OF THE WEEK ON BRANDISH.TV FASHION WEBSITE:

“It has been a really great week for albums with a pair of excellent new releases. Band of the week has to be Ulysses who return with their second album Kill You Again, and just like that debut it is an absolute corker. Think noisy glam rock meets Who-like psych with a few outrageous musical steals along with way. Best of all though it has some amazing tunes. If you like Art Brut, David Devant or even The Len Price 3 there is plenty to love here.”

83% ALBUM REVIEW FROM ALT SOUND:

“Welcome back to the freaky past. Here, you might believe that we are located in the ’60s, early ’70s. Likewise, the new album from Ulysses sounds like it’s from this time. Four guys from the UK have released their second album Kill You Again via Black Glove Records.

Is it rock, pop, psychedelic or future classic rock? I’d say, it’s all in there. An album like no other. I haven’t seen so much variety on a release like on this one before. Ulysses are happy to try out new things, they show that they have plenty to offer and they don’t need to specialise in just one music genre. Hats off to Ulysses, as I’d be interested to find out how much time the production of Kill You Again took.

Ulysses are not afraid to use their guitars and you might think that here are two lead guitars doing all the work. The music seems to follow a heavy ’60s theme much like The Beatles.
‘Oranges & Mary’ is another ’60s style tune. The title track ‘Kill You Again’ has influences of bands such as T.Rex, Thin Lizzy, The Move. It’s a more bass and rhythm section driven song, with a slightly darker tone. It’s an instrumental jamming journey with impressive rhythm changes, blasts and many more.
‘Inland Revenue’ is one of my favourite tracks from the album, its guitar solo at the end is really captivating. ‘Taxi Driver’ seems to take a heavy influence from Foo Fighters, especially the guitar riff that runs through the verse.
Luke Smyth (vocals/guitar), Julyan Wells-Cathedral (bass guitar), Tom Sartoryal (guitar/percussion) and Shane Maxymus (drums) show everything they are able to do on this release. From the opening swayed guitar/lead riffs, to the pounding drum fills. So if you ask me, that are no bog-standard tracks. This requires skill and many years of mastery of the instruments.

The more you listen to Kill You Again, the more you can hear how much effort they put into it. It’s an action-packed release that offers a trip back into the ’60s.”
KINGA DULA.

8/10 REVIEW in GERMANY’S OX FANZINE MAGAZINE:

“ULYSSES stand for rock. Rock music with huge granite heavy guitar riffs. So it seems at first glance, you can see the run-down four from Bath on the silly promo picture with her strange Huten poses. Not quite wrong, the first impression, however here are fine spirits at work with a comprehensive understanding of Darfur, which is cool and what is not. They are not quite as out of line as the time THE DARKNESS, but they refer to it in a similar role models: Mick Ronson, THIN LIZZY, SWEET, the early and the late MOVE WIZARD get me there immediately to mind. However, play and compose them up with ease, the intellect and the charm of SUPER GRASS. In addition, they have an irresistible pop appeal, and at a “Top of the Pops” - Show of 1974 they were safe in good hands. Granted, they live in their own world, but it’s definitely the right thing.”
GEREON HELMER
http://www.ox-fanzine.de/

8 OUT OF 10 REVIEW IN RUMORE MAGAZINE ITALY:

“They’re killing again, Ulysses’s Luke Smith, probably the most creative glam rocker of the UK, confirming they’re the reincarnation of T-Rex of our century. There’s a culture of recovery a forgotten tradion, in kill you again, not only of the glam rock, but of arena rock too…Like in Mrs Drawnel, a song that is a reprise from the Sweet’s Ballroom Blitz, but way more acid!!! A glam that became POP with influences from the BEATLES (and other bands as you can read by yourself), and that is together the celebration of the 70’s and a new language, vintage, whom UK is re discovering a sense of lightness. The second album of Ulysses is a little jewel of decadentism and dandysm. Not like the Darkness!”
MARIO RUGGERI

7.5 OUT OF 10 REVIEW IN ROCK HARD MAGAZINE ITALY:

“This young and English training to the core because the hard rock faces with the lightness and lightheartedness of the 70s glam of T Rex (LOVE Yeah, Taxi Driver) and Queen in the first place. The voice indeed, and stradaiola, melodic and sparkling with shrieks and the choruses as teenagers (Mrs Drownel). There is more innocence and tenderness in their rock over muscularity and the testosterone of Darkness. They play more irony and they also enjoy vintage 70s arrangements that really, closing his eyes, take us back to that great period of British rock (Strays). The harmonies of the chorus, however, are definitely winning and winning (Oranges & Mary). The Ulysses show the hard rock to a poetic dimension and kind of which was missing. In their interpretation there is always energy, just a hint of dirt, but never real vulgarity. However, the guitars are also a way to scratch as in the title track where there is also a lot of effects. He feels that the band enjoys playing (April Showers) and puts in a good mood (Lesson One). Truly a breath of fresh air in a hard rock where sometimes there are too many muscles and little elegance.”
Stefano Cerati.

4 OUT OF 5 STAR ‘KILL YOU AGAIN’ ALBUM REVIEW IN SWEDISH MAGAZINE IKON:

“Quartet of Bath consisting of Luke Smith, Julyan Wells Cathedral, Shane Maxymus and Tom Sartoryal made ​​some fuss with tvåtusenelvasEverybody’s Strange . After extensive touring, the question again with twelve songs plate Kill You Again , and I may say that there are real gourmet stuff for the masses.

The first three songs strike so hard that my mouth not even by force can be induced forced downwards. First up is Mrs. Drawnel where there’sa big straddled riffs, a lot of ideas and the feeling of several songs pressed together into a very good one at that. Other song Oranges & Mary is outstanding good. Imagine (if it goes) Spanish western rock, adding the fattest groove you can imagine and you are almost home. Also Strays is a catchy pop / rock tune with equal parts hippie feel, vocal harmonies and unbridled joy.

But do not stop that. A bunch of great songs will even further into the album. Perhaps the best moment ösig April Showers , glam rock Lesson One and psychrockiga Taxi Driver is further highlights put in his ears, and then one should also be well to point out that the remaining half of the songs that I was not raised nor kick ass.” ROGER BENGTSSON

8/10 REVIEW IN HOLLAND’S LORDS OF METAL MAGAZINE:

“British band Ulysses offers a very authentic British Invasion sound on their album ‘Kill You Again’. It is as if one is listening to the Kinks or the Faces in a modern setting, that is how the songs from this remarkable debut roll from the speakers. Unashamedly old fashioned without being corny. That is how retro ought to sound.

It may not be very innovative or even fashionable - far from it - but the enthusiastic, light-hearted and jangling way songs like ‘Mrs. Drawnel’ or ‘Oranges and Mary’ are delivered must raise a smile at even the largest sourpuss. Layered vocals and pointy songs full of reverb and flanging remind of Tame Impala or that über British mod-pop band from a few years ago Supergrass. It is obvious Ulysses has been inspired by the psychedelic era, but their approach is slightly different from usual. ‘Kill You Again’ is a very poppy record.
At moments the guitars sound a bit more grainy and the music has a sharp edge added, summoning yet another reference: Lenny Kravitz. A connection made even stronger towards the end of the album with the song ‘Taxi Driver’ klinkt - in multiple ways a pure Kravitz pastiche, although with some fantasy this track and ‘Lesson One’ could also be mistaken for T-Rex outtakes.

Leaving all the name-dropping for what it is, it is too easy to say Ulysses is just another cover band that incidentally put a few of their own songs on a cd. It is an easy conclusion, too easy actually. Ulysses may be extremely retro and harks back to a piece of pop history that is not too hot and happening at the moment. After all, Ulysses does not make heavy psych or early seventies proto hardrock. Fortunatelly not, because there are already too many of such bands, unlike psychedelic pop bands, let alone good ones of that sort. Ulysses therefore is no follower, but a real asset in the scene.”
JAN-SIMON.

SMASHING ALBUM REVIEW ON CHELLE’S ROCK BLOG SITE:

“On first listening to Ulysses on the Rival Sons tour last year – I thought they had groove but I wasn’t entirely sure that they were my thing. I guess that I wasn’t sure of what I was hearing. Was it pop? Was it rock? Was it psych? I think the answer to that is it was all of those things.

Ulysses, for me, would appear to be a big melting pot that has taken some of the best aspects of psychedelic pop/rock and fused them all together into an eclectic showcase of an album and right on!! It’s a joy to listen to.

I’ve had ‘Kill You Again’ on constantly of late and the reason for that is it is such an intricate album. There are so many influences, tones, accents and harmonies apparent here you can tell that some real thought has gone into the structure of these songs. Sure, some of them may not sound as raw as I would like in a band, and maybe a little too considered but each aspect highlights a little more of the track, shines a bit of extra light here and there, and really opens your ears to some different sounds and some great aspects of music. I know you won’t all agree and that’s cool.

The first track that really grabs me is ‘Strays’ the third track on the album. Shane’s rhythm hooks me with a kinda variation of a Calypso/Reggae beat. Once the first verse hits, the guitars spiral off into a very psychedelic journey for a few seconds as it comes back to a chorus of delicious harmonies and vocal tones. This song, along with ‘Mrs Drawnel’, to my ears have a very Sgt Pepper feel about them – infact you could say that about quite a few tracks on this record. Tom and Luke have got some brilliantly written and bold riffs throughout. Not always feeling the need for shredding solos each note has purpose.

The next track and title track from the album ‘Kill You Again’ is a more bass and rhythm section driven song with a slightly darker tone. However I am not sure if Luke and the guys have noticed but the rhythm of the lyrics on the second part of the verse of this song sounds quite similar to Katy Perry’s ‘I kissed a girl’ – Just something I noticed ;). Something I really appreciate in Ulysses is that during this track they seem to pull all resources as they trail into an instrumental jamming journey, with spectacular rhythm changes, explosions, maracas? Gunfire…. It’s a little crazy – and I like it.

I think without a doubt my favourite track is ‘French Japanese’. No matter how many times I listen to the album – this is the track that gets me… it heads into a very slow, sassy and more bluesy feel during the verse, which is definitely where my comfort zone is. Very sexy indeed. However like most Ulysses tracks as you get settled in they like to throw a little curve ball in there which changes the pace and always for the better and more interesting. Lots of little hooks to look forward to!

Is it possible that the boys from Ulysses although written off instantly by some, are in fact experimental music geniuses?? If you listened to that question and thought “Woah, that’s a bit bold” then I wouldn’t blame you. However I would ask you this – have you actually listened to the album? Well, I can tell you at least, that while Ulysses may intimidate most as they can’t really be thrown into a box like most bands, they do have an appeal all of their own and I like that.

I have had this on repeat for 4 days now and each day my favourite track changes as each time I hear something new amongst the very cleverly structured and written songs. It’s true that I think Ulysses are very different to my usual taste but they are a different band, a different machine and should be accepted as such. They are an absolute ray of light to listen to. Please don’t just put them on once and think “it’s not for me” put it on a few times and listen to the musicianship that has gone into creating this very psychedelic musical journey. Enjoy!” MICHELLE NEVILL.

CLASSIC ROCK MAGAZINE MAY 2013 EDITION COVERMOUNT CD & FEATURE:

Track number 9: Ulysses ‘Taxi Driver’ - “This self-styled glam band influenced by Thin Lizzy walk a fine line between the sublime and the ridiculous. But like The Darkness before them, Ulysses somehow manage to avoid toppling over into a vat of pure cheese. They might be humorous but, crucially, they also rock.”
Taken from Kill You Again.

ROOTS AND BRANCHES ALBUM REVIEW JUNE 2013:

Listening to the latest from the Bath quartet, you get the impression they’ve not got anything in their record collection after the early 70s. Influences and reference points positively tumble around the ears as they merrily make their way through the twelve tracks. That’ll be The Move’s Flowers In the Rain and I Can Hear The Grass Grow on the respective intros to L.O.V.E. Yeah with April Showers, Slade on the opening of Oranges & Mary, Barrett-era Floyd for Mrs Drawnel, the Kinks on the calypso flavoured Strays, a nod to Baby You Can Drive My Car for Taxi Driver (which also recalls The Who’s Pictures of Lily), the bluesy psychedelia French/Japanese getting high courtesy of Steppenwolf’s The Pusher and a mix of T Tex and 10cc on Lesson One. Meanwhile, Hendrix parties with Thin Lizzy and (stepping out of the era, Lenny Kravitz) on Oh Yeah (Uh Huh Huh) while Wings flutter through the Bond theme inspired title track (and album cover).

Unabashedly retro perhaps, but with musicianship and songs this strong, their future may indeed well be behind them.
Mike Davies.