| Ultramega OK | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| Name | Ultramega OK by Soundgarden |
| Album Type | Studio Album |
| Genres | Alternative Metal, Grunge |
| Release Date |
October 31, 1988 |
| Recorded Date and Place | Recorded Spring 1988 in Seattle, Washington and Newberg, Oregon |
| Label | SST Records |
| Producer | Drew Canulette, Soundgarden |
| Length | 42:48 |
| Preceded By | Fopp |
| Followed By | Louder Than Love |
Ultramega OK is the debut studio album of American alternative metal band Soundgarden. It is Sooundgarden's only studio album on a small label, notably SST Records.
Background and Recording[]
After the release of Soundgarden's two EP's Screaming Life and Fopp, the band signed to SST Records and began working on their first studio album. Some of it was recorded in Seattle, Washington, but the band moved to Newberg, Oregon to complete it. Because of this, they were unable to get Jack Endino to finish the project. SST Records suggested producer Drew Canulette, due to monetary savings. Canulette was not used to the "Seattle Sound," so the production was not what Soundgarden wanted.m Because of this, the album was given the name "Ultramega OK," because the band liked the songs, but the production was not great. Ultramega OK is a separate version of "absolutely, unbelievably not bad."
The British release was going to be Ultramega UK.
Album Artwork[]
Like many grunge and punk albums, Ultramega OK's photo was a black-and-white photo of the band. The photo was taken by Lance Mercer.
Reception[]
The album met with mostly positive reception. Steve Huey of Allmusic gave the album four out of five stars, saying, "It may not be quite as complex or consistent as some of Soundgarden's later albums, but Ultramega OK is easily the best document of grunge's early, pre-Nirvana days." Ann Powers of Blender said, "Not every moment is brilliant, but it sure is loud."
The album was not received as well by Soundgarden or fans. Soundgarden was dissatisfied with the production SST Records had provided them with. Cornell stated that "the production was not what we were after at all." Fans of the album felt that Ultramega OK was more of a metal album than a grunge album, and that it was not improtant to the grunge community like Screaming Life and Fopp were. Part of the reason for this was Soundgarden's touring with major label hard rock bands.
The album still gained good reception. The video for "Flower" would appear regularly on MTV's 120 Minutes. The album also recieved a nomination a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1989.
Tracklist[]
- Flower
- Don't Know
| No. | Name | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Flower" | Chris Cornell | Kim Thayil | 3:25 |
| 2. | "All Your Lies" | Cornell | Thayil, Hiro Yamamoto | 3:51 |
| 3. | "665" | Cornell | Yamamoto | 1:37 |
| 4. | "Beyond the Wheel" | Cornell | Cornell | 4:20 |
| 5. | "667" | Cornell | Yamamoto | 0:56 |
| 6. | "Mood for Trouble" | Cornell | Cornell | 4:21 |
| 7. | "Circle of Power" | Yamamoto | Thayil | 2:05 |
| 8. | "He Didn't" | Cornell | Matt Cameron | 2:47 |
| 9. | "Smokestack Lightning" | Howlin' Wolf | Howlin' Wolf | 5:07 |
| 10. | "Nazi Driver" | Cornell | Yamamoto | 3:52 |
| 11. | "Head Injury" | Cornell | Cornell | 2:22 |
| 12. | "Incessant Mace" | Cornell | Thayil | 6:27 |
| 13. | "One Minute of Silence" | Cornell | John Lennon | 1:02 |