here's what some people have to say about us. most of this stuff are concert reviews but there's also a couple of reviews on our songs as well. enjoy.
music reviews
concert reviews
music reviews
u-mass entry on the Listen.com site: “Remember that scene in Quadrophenia when Ace struts into the dance hall and maintains his status as the coolest mod that ever lived by doing that ridiculous dance? If u-mass had been around for the filming of that scene, they surely would have served as the backdrop for Sting's swingin' dance number. u-mass' sound is steeped in the original British, parka-friendly music of the Who and their late '70s and '80s offspring (the Mod revivalists), as well as the hooky Brit Pop of the '90s. Guitars are ultra-glossy, beats are loosely based on R&B, and vocals are in the vein of almost any of the bands that appear on Mods Mayday '79. ” - review written by Kali H.
Fly! Fly! Fly! - review on the ANAR site: “If you're the kind of person who thinks Rock is a land of adventure and experimentation where everything has yet to be discovered, read no further. If you think instead that Rock is a never-ending self-repeating story, welcome.
Alright, nothing new under the sun. You're listening to u-mass and you're in a familiar land. Byrds/Teenage Fanclub/Beatles-like vocal harmonies, Power-Pop guitar, Glam-Rock break... so what? Everything is well (re)done. Which brings a weird feeling of immediate familiarity despite the novelty, this irritating feeling that you're hearing this song for the 1,000th time, although everything is new. Isn't that what you call a ”hit?”
Oh by the way, u-mass is no longer together. Are you crying? - note: 5/5” - review written by Kim
Fly! Fly! Fly! - review on the MP3 Reviewer site: “This song has a great energy and some great harmonies. The overall sound is a sort of 90's version of 60's drone pop. If the band from 'That Thing You Do' had been a 90's band instead of a 60's band, they might have sounded like this. The tight rhythm guitars, punchy drums and cool bass really kick the song into gear at the beginning, but the sound established in the first several seconds pretty much continues throughout the song with little variety except for the bridge. And the words, at the group's admission, are not very interesting.
Even with the quieter bridge, though, the song is too repetitive for my tastes. But if you want to crank something loud and bounce around, this could be for you.
Bottom line: What starts out as a really fun song goes on a bit too long and could have benefited greatly from more variety in arrangement.
I'm thinking these guys would be great fun live. Unfortunately, even though some fun recordings are left, according to their web page, the band has already called it quits. notes: Charisma: 7.0 - Technical Skill: 7.0 - Structure: 6.0 - Interest: 6.0 - Recording Quality: 9.0 - Long Term Appeal: 6.0 - OVERALL: 6.8/10” - review written by R. Durand
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concert reviews
Le Balthazar, 04/17/99: “Back about a year after their last gig in the Balthazar, the 4 from u-mass arrived with a lot of surprises including new songs. First of all, a remarkable post-rock opening, as if they wanted to show they're not sticking to only one genre, and maybe challenging a certain part of Marseille's audience. Then right away followed for a short hour a succession of Gaby's fast and dynamic numbers (very american, in the likes of the Pixies, Fountains of Wayne, Weezer). No time for a break here: one song would finish and the next one would follow right away. No need to say it was awesome. And Chouchou's new song.... no comment. Slower songs were played to finish the first part and get to a well-deserved break.
The second part started softly with an accoustic number by Gaby, followed by his famous Freddy The Mouse and Boltronic (with Bol on keyboard and Philippe as a guest break-dancer as always). Those 3 tracks really set a relaxed mood in the place and relaxed the band, as they started opening themselves a little more to the audience. They then got back to more serious business with this time Bol singing a little more often and their traditional Grand Finale with Come To Me.
u-mass (and I've said it before, but tonight's show confirmed it once again) has got a real potentiel in the music business. It is a pity that there weren't more people this saturday night to acknowledge that fact.
For real, people! Go out and come discover all these promising bands that deserve your attention! Otherwise, they'll stop playing something else than Reggae in Marseille...
” - review written by Hum!
La Machine à Coudre, 02/20/99 - Another review: “FABULOUS!!!!!! u-mass is really THE band Marseille needed!!!!!!!!!! Great melodies, an awesome sound, and they're nice too. It's really a shame that there wasn't more people in the audience. It was the first time I ever saw them and I was blown away. People present looked very happy too. Oh and that 80's revival piece with break-dancing and everything, that was terrific! But what's really their forte is their songs: they're superb. Especially the first accoustic number and the instrumental grand finale. A lot of variety in their styles but most of all they've got energy!!!!! Don't miss them if they come anywhere near you!!!!” - review written by Lolo (we still have to figure out who that is, so Lolo, if you see this, email us)
La Machine à Coudre, 02/20/99: “The four members of u-mass looked rather good tonight. No new songs (certainly due to finals and all that stuff) but a pretty obvious good spirit. Gaby started the show with an accoustic number, followed by Bol accoustic as well, maybe as a way of teasing the audience... then Chouche and Eric got in to bring the energy so typical to the band and they took off. (Lou)Bol(ou)'s electronic number was noticed, as well as Chouchou's stage troubles with looking at anything other than his feet or his guitar when he's singing. Other than that, it was a good show, even if "Freddy the mouse", Gaby's hit, wouldn't have hurt.” - review written by Hum!
Le Poste à Galène, 12/12/98: "Only a short time after their outstanding (and noticed) opening set for the Catchers, they were back on the stage of the Poste à Galène, which allowed everyone to verify that their last performance wasn't a stroke of luck. Still as vigorous and lively, they played Fly! Fly! Fly!, #1 Sucker, Day In, Lasagna and all those yet untitled as if their lives depended on it. And as a matter of fact, most of those numbers were effective to the audience, slightly more numerous than for Spinach (the OM game had just finished with a 3-0 score). Gaby was jumping all around, Bol still under the schock of a big feedback attack at the beginning of the show, Chouchou as usual very concentrated... on his shoes? As for Eric, hidden behind his drums, he didn't stop banging 'em.... Can't wait for the next gig!!! A little reproach though: the sound was a bit too loud in the beginning" - review written by Hum!
Le Poste à Galène, 03/11/98 : ”Amazing! I'd told you about them before (Le Balthazar, 20/06/98) and I'd been seduced by this very promising band. Well the least you can say is that they didn't disappoint me. Those who attended their last show in town must have felt the difference. They must have worked their hearts all summer long 'cause you really could feel something going on there. Very good stage presence (certainly stimulated by the venue) they played a more than 40 mins long set without a single break. Still very poppy, but also slightly rock, the songs are structured on Gaby's and Bol's singing, and even on Chouchou's (the bass-player, who performed a very nice tune). One can only encourage them to go further on that way, the more singers/songwriters the better!” - review written by Hum!
Le Balthazar, 20/06/98 : ”Here's the confirmation for a new local talented band that we've all been waiting for. u-mass (drums, bass and 2 singers/guitarists) conquered us tonight. Beautiful melodies, a good sound (especially compared to the 2nd Nuit Decibel) and a crowded place for their first ”real” concert in Marseille (note that at the same time Kanjar'oc and the Wailers were playing for free on the Prado beaches). The great thing about u-mass is their singing ticket (Gaby and Bol, by alphabetical order), really complementary and both as good. Maybe some indecisions at the end of the concert but pretty normal for a start. I bet you we'll see them again soon with new songs! (distinction to the song ”Freddy the mouse”)” - review written by Hum!