Ultra Feel [Bonus Track]

Sonically, 's sophomore record, , sounds like a successful sequel to the first album. Nothing differs much from the self-titled debut, and while the songwriting is potentially a bit stronger this time, it's an album very much in the same vein as the first. However it will probably always be remembered as the album that destroyed . After 's self-titled debut of radio-ready came out, all the band bios and press indicated that they were a new band. However, was none other than , a Canadian melodic band who had renamed themselves and refashioned their image as a bid for mainstream success. While it worked for the first album, generating a Canadian Top 20 single in nothing off this album rocketed up the charts immediately after its March 2001 release. Because of that, the band quickly changed their name back to , effectively abandoning the project. That strange history does overshadow (or potentially enhance) the music, as listeners may feel that and were merely running them through a genre exercise. It's disappointing, actually, as the music on here is really quite good: anthemic songs like are primed for radio play, while the -like vocal arrangements on are surprisingly sophisticated. Even when they don't write their own material, they pick the right stuff to record, as evidenced from the cover of the classic, that opens this album. It's true that fans may (understandably) denounce this period as a farce, but for fans of hooky with a fair amount of production sheen, the project -- especially -- was the real thing. [ was also released with a bonus track.] ~ Jason Damas