UXL

Music:

Member Since: 2/20/2006
Band Website: uxlofficial.com
Band Members:
JOHN TIERNEY
vocals, guitar

PJ TIERNEY
guitar

DAN CLARK
bass, keyboards

PAUL TIERNEY
drums

Birmingham, UK foursome reach for the epic and the dramatic, with soaring guitars and John Tierney's deep, expressive voice conveying the grand gestures that are inherent in the material. From the anguished "Can I Dream Again" to the sun-drenched "Beautiful Today," the band mixes it up with songs that are stylistically of a piece, but never monotonous or predictable. We hear rock star potential in this big-sounding and good-looking unit whose music is tailor made for an arena setting.
MUSIC CONNECTION Newsstand Edition No. 5: Mar 3 - Mar 16, 2008
http://www.musicconnection.com/issues/2008/issue5/democritiq ues/democritiques.lcgi

Great Britain’s UXL are a melodic hard rock quartet who have a knack for transitioning their guitar flourishes from roaring bonfires to softly rolling landscapes. The push and pull in the chord dynamics create a tugging effect that riles up a rashness of the vocals and the melodic spurring. The crushing thumps of the rhythms are wicked and tied in with the guitars, they create ravishing melodic masses. UXL show intensity and good melodic instincts that is beyond their ages, some of them just barely touching the twenty-year mark.UXL’s songs weigh heavy in their lyrics and music. There is a majestic air in their melodies and vocals that harkens of classic metal bands while infusing a modern vitality in their tunage. Their album is the best of both worlds showing conviction in their vocal talons and being congruent with their hardcore edges. 9/10

Ultimate Guitar Website
Full Review: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/uxl/can _i_dream_again/index.html

Slightly fantastic! There’s no other way to Judge UXL’s debut album. The band brings powerful rock with a very gentle touch, combining influences of legends of rock as the early Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel, but also U2 and Pearl Jam. Some songs breathe the AOR tradition, others sound surprisingly innovating and very young. The intro is magnificent: very symphonic and theatrical, containing the theme of the title track ‘Can I Dream Again?’. The symphonic element makes way for pure rock of the sheer energetic kind. Few bands succeed in integrating the classic rock patterns in such a modern sound, but UXL doesn’t seem to have any problem with that. Absolute favourite track of mine is ‘New Dawn Waiting’ in which influences of Peter Gabriel and Pearl Jam are combined into a song that blows the listener away. Especially the short guitar solo, loaded with special effects, is breathtaking. The enormous versatility of the album provides the listener with an almost everlasting pleasure.Very often debut albums sound very promising. This one doesn’t, it’s just great!

Rock Advice Website
http://www.rockadvice.org/news.php?item.42.2

Classic Rock Society Review by Miles Bartaby

UXL - Can I Dream Again? (Mab Records) UXL belie their bland moniker with an album of soulful rock and strong lyrics. Taking Zep as a template, and sharing the same black country roots, they deliver a listenable set of songs. Why, a palatable sax even pops up on Stranger. Title track Can I Dream again recalls the slick thrill of Cheap Trick and transports this reviewer back to a time where intelligent rock wasn't necessarily Yes or even Radiohead. Also, a Posie-esque undercurrent appears in New Dawn Waiting, which can only be good. Crafted well and having paid their dues, UXL are authentic rockers. . After supporting legendary German rockers Magnum recently their live credentials have been boosted considerably. Overall, athemic stuff that bears repeated listenings.

Tasty Fanzine Review by John Kertlandhttp://www.tastyfanzine.org.uk

Swarming over the brow of a hill like the goblin armies out of Lord of the Rings, the songs of UXL are big on epic touches and sweeping sentiments. Embracing the likes of Marillion, Pearl Jam, Yes and even ‘80s ambient movie scorer Vangelis, the Birmingham foursome go large on everything. But from the power ballads to the slick rockers – all fuelled by the bluesy growl of frontman John Tierney – the band sound like they mean every note. Something that makes all the difference between empty bombast and a soaring adventure in leather trousers.The military drums and sombre piano atmos of “Intro” set a serious tone, but then the title track kicks in with thunderous stabs of guitar, that muscular vocal and a killer chorus that scales the Emo heights of Evanescence. Similarly, “New Dawn Waiting” moves mountains like Pearl Jam or Creed. That’s not to say that UXL don’t do light and shade. The bouncing bass of “Beautiful Today?” and the keyboard bounce of “Make It” both have a touch of James’s early ‘90s artful grooves about them.Then there are the slowies. “Drowning Man”, “Stay Awhile” and “Onto Better Days” are all towering efforts, but it’s the subtler shades of “Stranger” and “Change” that have the edge in the credibility stakes. By starting off a bit more acoustic, there are a few more interesting places for them to go. Having said that, the closing “Promised Land” is a planet-eating synth-driven monster of Tesco superstore proportions. It’s also a lot of fun. Although big keyboard rock is a tricky proposition in this day and age, UXL have more hits than misses over the course of ‘Can I Dream Again?’ and create their own corner of XXL magic.http://www.overplay.com/cdreviews.asp?page=detail& review_id=610

WHAT A DEBUT - PASSIONATE ROCK AND ROLL
As an unknown band, I was at first sceptical when purchasing the album. I had read limited reviews and only listened to the few mySpace songs. However, the passion induced by the magical vocals makes you feel like your preparing for war, the soft mix of melodie and harmony gives an image of sexual love and lust culminating in an almost orgasmic array of music.Altough primarily rock, influences of other decades and styles are clear.'Beautiful Today,' is a bopping pop song, with catchy vocals but still mature and technically interesting in style. The emotion carries throughout the album, till the very last anthem.In sum, I was sensatioanlly surprised at the subtle beauty of this debut. The initial hard-hitting rock and roll is finely balanced with the melody and vocal skill; reminding me of Free or Led Zeppelin. I am still enfatuated with this album.As a person who usually does not write reviews on albums, i felt it necessary to do so as my admiration is quite unbelievable, even for myself.

Play.com Review by Woolwichman

INCITE MAGAZINE REVIEW
UXL – Can I Dream Again?
UXL are a young vibrant rock band from Birmingham/Wolverhampton who on the back of a well received support slot with 80’s rock gods magnum, offer their debut album can I dream again? On general release later in July. Personally I’ve seen these guys play three times over the last 8 months and can’t help but be impressed every time so in a way I’ve had a bit of a sneak preview of what’s here – but the fact that I want to keep going back should say something.
With this album its clear there is a band here destined for mightier things, presenting an album that is mature beyond their years with the quality of songwriting, the thoughtful way the song arrangements have been put together and even down to the construction of the track listing you can’t help but admire what you are listening too.
The album itself is of the highest quality, from the intro you are taken in with a piece of orchestral majesty that builds in atmosphere until the title track can I dream again? Is launched and smacks you in the mouth demanding to be listened to and listen you do, John’s vocals are both powerful and haunting a cross between Bono and Eddie Vedder his style lends itself so well to the every crafted track here.
From the power of Can I dream again you then get a completely change in mood with a bouncy, pop rock sing a long that will have you singing after a couple of listens in Beautiful Today. The mood then mellows again changing the whole pace wonderfully with Stranger a much more mellow affair, then we have two personal faves of mine “this life” and “New dawn waiting” two monstrous tracks, the later being an epic 7 minute song that grabs you with great musicianship and tempo changes. Other highlights for me are Stay awhile a slow paced ballad that launches later on an art to do successfully have your loyal subjects baying for more, and even a bluesy bounce along track like Onto better days with its gritty blues tinged chorus.
For me I couldn’t find a low point here, UXL are indeed destined for great things and I for one will be watching and following their career with interest promoting the name at every opportunity I get, everybody get out buy this album, appreciate it, love it you will not be disappointed. This is an album crafted with love and care and I doubt you will find a better debut this side of mars!! Me? I’m out there to go and keep watching these lads do their thing and I already can’t wait to hear something else in the near future – well done lads you deserve all the accolade you can get!!
Review by Andrew Wenlock for Incite Magazine
http://www.incite.co.uk.tt

TASTY FANZINE SINGLE REVIEW
UXL- Can I Dream Again? (Mab Records) UXL draw their influences from a variety of places. Their rolling drums are reminiscent of Foo Fighters, their vocal style borrows heavily from System Of A Down, and the guitar solo definitely comes from Muse territory. UXL aren’t quietly slipping in the back door with this single, they’re bulldozing their way straight into your living room with a massive sound on all counts- delicacy is not their department.
Tasty Fanzine Single review by Catriona Boyle
http://www.tastyfanzine.org.uk

UXL Can I Dream Again Mab Records (2007) Fresh from a support slot on the latest Magnum tour UXL release their long awaited debut album.And the first thing you feel is the quality of the product - even the booklet is lovingly put together. But UXL aren't about the packaging. They're a rock band. A band influenced by rock heavyweights such as Zeppelin, U2, Maiden and the Peppers. None of this lightweight indie stuff that seems so prevalent at present.They've got a great 'meaty' sound, delivering remarkably mature melodic rock, and in lead singer John Tierney they have a vocalist of rare talent.Intro shows the scope of their intent - laying down a cinematic soundscape that would not be out of place behind the opening credits of Terminator 4.Stranger and Make It would be perfect on US FM soft rock radio, while This Life has structure reminiscent of Magnum's song writing style, and Stay Awhile would be the perfect number to close a live set.Elsewhere, Change shows the band's versatility building from a slow moody opening complete with horns, through a Brian May-like guitar break, into an anthemic climax Metallica would be proud of.UXL would probably be the first to admit they're not the finished article, but if Planet Rock and their peers would play more of this sort of stuff and less of their repetitive and predictable play list, the world would be a better place.

Get Ready To Rock Review by Pete Whalley

Full Review: http://www.getreadytorock.com/reviews2007/uxl.htm

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'Can I Dream Again?' by the exceptional UXL is, without a shadow of a doubt, a mighty fine piece of work. This beautifully packaged release is magnificence personified - quality from cover to cover and from the opening bars of the first track right through to its closing bars over fifty-two minutes later, 'Can I Dream Again?' has everything - it really is a genuinely superb release that deserves massive success. Together these four young guys have contrived to come up with a rockin' and rollin' album to numb the senses and set the nerve ends tinglin'. Sitting somewhere within the wide expanses of indie rock and with hints of story-telling prog-rock, UXL show in no uncertain terms that 'indie' can still be innovative, meaningful and mature. UXL can run the gamut when it comes to composing and performing top notch songs; with something for most tastes but leaning quite heavily into the rock idiom, this intrepid foursome really get stuck into their work and make a bloody good fist of it (understatement or what?). UXL generally make a pretty 'big' sound but they can also do controlled minimalistic and beautiful semi-acoustic and just about everything in between. And it seems that, any way up, they give their absolute best at everything they do - UXL are the complete package and truly the real thing!'Can I Dream Again?' is surely 'up there' with the best. UXL are young, good looking and obviously extremely talented - there's not really much more that they want or need to compete at the highest and most exposed level. This band is special and they must, must, must be on the verge of getting massive recognition and reaping the rewards for their hard work, superb musical expressionism and stunning composition.It really don't get much better than 'Can I Dream Again?' by the brilliant UXL.
Magnificent stuff!!

Toxic Pete Review by Peter J Brown

Full Review: http://www.toxicpete.co.uk

LIVE REVIEW CARLING ACADEMY NEWCASTLE

'Birmingham's new young guns UXL delivered a short but impressive set with songs taken from their debut album. Highlights included the new single and opener 'Can I Dream Again?', which instantly made the crowd take notice, especially with the distinctive vocals of John who came across as a hard edged Chris Isaacs. Another favourite of mine from the set was 'New Dawn Waiting',which went down a storm with the appreciative crowd and I'm sure they won over a few new fans tonight. With several festivals lined up for later this year the buzz from this band will surely make 2007 their year to break into the big time.'

THE MAYFAIR MALL ZINE

www.themayfairmallzine.com/gigrev/magnum07.html

BBC WEBSITE UXL TOUR FEATURE

http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2007/06/04/ uxl_magnum_feature.shtml

UXL are a band that are going places. John's voice is huge and shouldn't be possible in a 18year old, PJ's guitar while not flashy is very effective and doesn't overpower any of the songs (which is harder than it sounds), Paul's drumming is always solid and occasionally inspired and Dan's bass-lines hold the songs together and, along with his keyboard skills, shows a great deal of musiciality. If you have the opportunity of seeing these lads live catch them while you can, they will be good in stadiums, but they will be fantastic in a club.

August 2006
www.the-mag.me.uk

This single from Midlands based UXL shows a maturity beyond their teenage years, both in songwriting and performance. Guitarist/singer John as an emotive voice which carries that ability to 'catch' a tune and add a twist to its delivery. The U2-influenced single ought to chart if there's any justice.'

Review by Richard Barnes
CLASSIC ROCK SOCIETY

CHECK OUT PHOTOS BY PHOENIX

'CAN I DREAM AGAIN?' VIDEO

Get this video and more at MySpace.comDEBUT SINGLE
'BEAUTIFUL TODAY'
VIDEO

'BEAUTIFUL TODAY' VIDEO SHOT ON LOCATION IN BIRMINGHAM

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

Influences: Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, U2, The Clash, Free, Hendrix, Oasis, Muse, Killers. . .
Sounds Like: "Epic U2-style rock." NME
Record Label: Mab Records
Type of Label: Indie