We could probably start off by you telling how Uptown Sinclair?s self-titled debut was recently voted ?Best Regional CD? by the Editor?s of Cleveland?s Scene Magazine or how Time Out New York repeatedly encourages the loca... more »ls to go see the band whenever they blow into town or even how singer/guitarist Dave Hill once ate fifteen raw jalapeno peppers in less than two minutes, but really, would any of that make you instantly fork over the cash for Uptown Sinclair?s smoking hot slab of rock-n-roll goodness? What you really need to know is that Uptown Sinclair rocks fiercely and, at times, uncontrollably. They have really tight pants. They are adored by Canadians, the elderly, and at least one man in Germany. They are dashing, they are bold, and, above all else, they are caring. Whenever they play their hot rock music, people dance, scream, and soil themselves completely. Uptown Sinclair smell nice, they are always on time, and they bake their own bread. They get fan mail from deaf people. They use profanity, but only for dramatic effect. Most importantly, however, Uptown Sinclair write and play kickass rock songs. Take the very best of Cheap Trick, Husker Du, The Cars, Pixies, Guided By Voices, Elvis Costello, Barry White, Motorhead, T. Rex, Matthew Sweet, and Led Zeppelin; whip it all together and then imagine it being cranked out by four young men who have clearly never worn a backward baseball cap a single day of their lives, and you are beginning to approximate the sound of Uptown Sinclair. Uptown Sinclair?s self-titled debut for D-text Records, recorded over the course of several months with Mr. Colson (Smashing Pumpkins, Paw, the Urge, Walt Mink, Remy Zero, HBO's "Reverb"), Michael Seifert (Guided By Voices, Bone Thugz N Harmony) and Michael Parnin (Marilyn Manson, Len, Motorhead), will make you believe in hot rock music again. And who knows, it might even get you laid. When?s the last time that happened to you for less than twenty bucks?« less
We could probably start off by you telling how Uptown Sinclair?s self-titled debut was recently voted ?Best Regional CD? by the Editor?s of Cleveland?s Scene Magazine or how Time Out New York repeatedly encourages the locals to go see the band whenever they blow into town or even how singer/guitarist Dave Hill once ate fifteen raw jalapeno peppers in less than two minutes, but really, would any of that make you instantly fork over the cash for Uptown Sinclair?s smoking hot slab of rock-n-roll goodness? What you really need to know is that Uptown Sinclair rocks fiercely and, at times, uncontrollably. They have really tight pants. They are adored by Canadians, the elderly, and at least one man in Germany. They are dashing, they are bold, and, above all else, they are caring. Whenever they play their hot rock music, people dance, scream, and soil themselves completely. Uptown Sinclair smell nice, they are always on time, and they bake their own bread. They get fan mail from deaf people. They use profanity, but only for dramatic effect. Most importantly, however, Uptown Sinclair write and play kickass rock songs. Take the very best of Cheap Trick, Husker Du, The Cars, Pixies, Guided By Voices, Elvis Costello, Barry White, Motorhead, T. Rex, Matthew Sweet, and Led Zeppelin; whip it all together and then imagine it being cranked out by four young men who have clearly never worn a backward baseball cap a single day of their lives, and you are beginning to approximate the sound of Uptown Sinclair. Uptown Sinclair?s self-titled debut for D-text Records, recorded over the course of several months with Mr. Colson (Smashing Pumpkins, Paw, the Urge, Walt Mink, Remy Zero, HBO's "Reverb"), Michael Seifert (Guided By Voices, Bone Thugz N Harmony) and Michael Parnin (Marilyn Manson, Len, Motorhead), will make you believe in hot rock music again. And who knows, it might even get you laid. When?s the last time that happened to you for less than twenty bucks?
CD Reviews
The Most Amazingly Reviewed Album Ever
Brian | Cleveland | 11/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Especially when you consider that the lead singer wrote all the previous customer reviews about HIMSELF.
A stunning performance! The remarks about the crotch sweat stains are particularly awesome considering the author of that review is talking about himself.
Congrats to all!"
Uptown Sinclair: How rock music should be...
Jim Plank | Cleveland, OH USA | 01/02/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Once in a blue moon I will hear a song that right away makes me think, "wow, I wish I'd written that". Never has there been an album that has had more than one of those instances, until now. Cleveland, Ohio based (and my hometown)Uptown Sinclair have delivered one of the tastiest, catchiest, hook-laiden rock albums that gets imprinted into your very soul with each listen. Loud, catchy guitars, driving beats, hummable, sugar sweet melodies and brilliant lyrics make the listener remember what good, old fashion pop-rock is all about. "Face Down" and "Sentimental" are one of THEE most catchiest songs I've ever heard. Perfect in every facet: melody, lyric, hooks, etc. Those are the two songs I wish I'd writen. "Girlfriend" is the song that guarantees that the listener will be singing along with the chorus upon first listen. "Never Miss A Thing" is a beautiful, straight forward, stripped down ballad that melts the listeners heart with it's quiet acoustic guitar, Rhodes electric piano and haunting vocal. "Intermediate" starts off with a sweet piano intro that is akin to Tom Petty meets Third Eye Blind then kicks into Uptown Sinclairs trademark, happy/catchy stop/start guitar attack. "Landslide" is a strong track that sounds like the offspring of Big Star & Cheap Trick with it's bluesy slide guitar. "Whatever U Want" is the song that seems best fit for driving around in the summertime with your top down, singing as loudly as you can to the happy crunch of the song. "First Thing In The Morning" is an emotional song that sounds like something that J. Mascis could have written at 6 a.m. on a Sunday morning. "Superman" is a sugar coated plea to a woman, telling her, "you gotta get away from Superman, you gotta get away from him" that blends soft acoustic guitar, old moog synths and organs with the "woo hoo hoo's" of the Stones. This album would have been 5 out of 5 stars, but I gave it 4 stars, as I'm saving the last star for the other brilliant songs that were left off of the album. It's ashame that the music industry is too busy catering to rap/metal bands and premanufactured boy/girl bands, because I guarantee when the pendulum swings back towards true pop/rock, Uptown Sinclair will be millionaires."
Uptown Sinclair = Badass Rock Band
BonScott | Chicago, IL, USA | 10/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first read about Uptown Sinclair in CMJ where they got a glowing review recently. I checked out a few tunes online first and was immediately hooked. Uptown kind of reminds me of the Kinks, Fountains of Wayne, Dismemberment Plan, Replacements, and Prince all swirled together in an awesome kind of way. I know everyone talks about how they can't understand why they're favorite indie rock band isn't huge already, but seriously I don't understand why these guys aren't huge already. Get this disc, you won't be disappointed."
This band does not suck
loveisallaround | chicago, IL USA | 02/07/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"it's great to hear a band do some full-on rocking out. uptown sinclair's album is packed with great songs in the vein of cheap trick, elvis costello, t rex, the cars, etc. while still maintaining its own thing throughout. this album lives in my car. in a perfect world, uptown sinclair would be huge."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1