Deep Snapper is back with another album of almost familiar songs that bring to mind a type of punk rock that is largely forgotten in this age of radio friendly pop punk bands with starry eyes. Into the Ugly is the third release for the Texas three-piece known as Deep Snapper, and at twelve songs, it gives listeners a large sample of their creative stylings.
Immediately, Deep Snapper shows some new tricks on Into the Ugly with the steady bass line and drumbeat of the verse in "Hemagoblins Attack the Central Processing Plant." It delivers on some of the promise of earlier material, and as a whole, the album seemingly is more "mature" as the group refines their songwriting and sound. The jangling, angular guitar in "It's Not a Block of Wood, It's an Angry Drier" sets the mood for the vocals while the rhythm section keeps the track moving sure and steady. The measured tempo of "Nights with the Glaswegians" and the gelling of every aspect of Deep Snapper is one of the brightest and most accomplished moments to be heard on Into the Ugly; the guitars, vocals, rhythms all combine to create one of my most enjoyable songs from the band (if ever I see Deep Snapper, this is the song that I will be yelling out to hear them play). I dig the head bobbing tribute that is "Daniel Johnston," mostly for its kinetic energy and infectious rhythm. The closing piece, "Bridgefarmer", breathes in a way that other songs on the album do not giving the album another peak at other possible avenues that Deep Snapper has yet to explore (and hopefully they do).
Personally, I prefer the quieter moments that Deep Snapper turn out on Into the Ugly as the band seems stronger with that type of material while at the same time the louder moments create the dichotomy that makes me enjoy the quieter moments. No matter what, I enjoy the sincerity that Deep Snapper exudes over the twelve tracks on this album; the rough edges and straight forward production provide a mood and quality to the music. The bass lines, noisy guitars, singing/talking vocals, and steady rhythms that Deep Snapper employ all return on Into the Ugly while adding a bit more accomplished songwriting to the mix; in any case, I will keep spinning "Nights with the Glaswegians" when I am in the mood; it really is a good song.
