Big Ups - Before A Million Universes (Exploding In Sound) 2016
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Any Breaking Bad fan will recognize the name of Walt Whitman, the man who once said “Let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes,” allowing punk kids from New York to have a title for their sophomore album. There are multiple definitions for the word “cool”, unfortunately Big Ups’ new album doesn’t match mine. If at first it seems cool and vigorous then, after a closer look, we witness that there are defective links in this 13-track chain. There’s definitely some ambition and the standout value for each track is there, but more often than not the dynamic shift doesn’t enable explosions or progressions. The frenetic hardcore punk isn’t properly matched by the more contemplative incursions, and vice-versa, leaving us wandering without any real direction.