San Diego’s Kut U Up, famed for their appearance on the Pop Disaster tour in 2002 and subsequent DVD documentary, are back with their first release in a decade. The ‘Worse Than Wolves’ EP is the six track, long over due, follow up to their ‘Pulled Over’ album from 2003.
Was it worth waiting for? In truth it’s a very low key return and initially you do struggle to pick out any real highlights. On further listens though you start to appreciate the very subtle bass lines that open ‘Trust’, the relaxed vocals on ‘Shut it down’ and the excellent instrumental bridge from the title track. From there you really hope ‘Worse Than Wolves’ kicks on and whilst ‘Last Time’ and ‘Give A Shit’ have a slightly darker vibe they still pass without any real interest.
The band’s recorded material has never been as excitable as their on stage behaviour, so this tamer approach isn’t overly surprising. Their debut album, ‘Pulled Over’, had its moments though and ten years later I was eager to hear some of that really raw aggression again. The excitement of ‘Destination’ and the epic ‘Have’s, Have Nots’ were two notable high points back then, but this EP really does lack that killer track and any real direction at times. There are far too many forgettable moments and ultimately this is a disappointing return.
TOM BECK