"UGLY, BROKE, & SOBER": A Review "Shooting in 60", the opener of Telling On Trixie's second full length album, kicks off with the same probing undercurrent that made Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell" and Guns 'n' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" sear our memory. There's the double jolt of powerhouse guitar joined almost immediately by frontman Derek Nicoletto's equally powerful vocals. Like those two aforementioned songs, "Shooting in 60" deserves to become a rock classic as well. The song, with lyrics like... "Call action! I’m waiting here in makeup For my grand debut I wanna feel 45 million exhalations aiming at my face go head take your place Let the curtain rise... Cuz it’s showtime! And we’re shooting in 60..." ... is ostensibly about performing live (or perhaps shooting a music video)-- and the track comes as close as possible to capturing that irreplaceable, adrenaline-infused high. As we soon learn, this music is pure rock and roll, boys and girls-- with influences from classic anthem rock to nu metal, as evidenced by the track "Your Silence". This track (think Nine Inch Nails) features a pounding beat juxtaposed against invasive-sounding guitar work-- it's two different moods that merge for one truly unique sound. "Crash Me Up" features a more laid-back style, with easy-going guitar accents and more relaxed vocals by Derek. On every song, Derek's voice always stands strong. His one-of-a-kind "vox" is full of rock star bravura, very well-suited for the anthemic sound of many of the songs we hear throughout this superb CD. As he covers the range of emotions from pure joy to pure pain and everything in between (including angst, lust, desire,etc.), he often reaches some very impressive heights. The third track is a hard-edged, rock version of Belinda Carlisle's "Mad About You". Telling on Trixie transforms the song from a bubble gum-flavored pop tune to a more intense rock song with a unique sense of sensuality running through. It's not a remake as much as a reworking, with a completely different mood. Even if you find yourself singing the familiar lyrics, the no-holes-barred guitar interval will make you realize that this ain't an imitation of th e 1986 hit. "It’s a hell of a morning after, when it’s four days after the day before..." Derek sings on "A.N.F.O.", and that priceless line really lets us know where we're going with this track. "A.N.F.O." showcases Derek-as-bad boy, a role which surfaces every so often-- and incidentally, it's a role he does quite well! "A.N.F.O." features deliciously self-indulgent, in-your-face lyrics ("Hand me a hammer babe, Give me some good ammo; Hand me the hammer baby, A.N.F.O.") with a beat to match. Love that killer guitar interlude! (By the way, for those of you who failed chemistry in high school, A.N.F.O. is a widely used explosive mixture.) One of the album's standout's is "Eden". Throughout the history of music, the concept of the perfect paradise-- whether we call it Eden, Xanadu, Utopia, or Nirvana-- has always been a fertile source of inspiration for songwriters, and this one is truly elevating. "Eden" really recreates the unapologetic joy of forbidden fruit... "Go on, take a bite Recreate Eden, go on, take a bite; I will be your Adam, Be my sin. Recreate Eden, go on, take a bite; Go on, take a bite." ... rather than reminding us why the fruit is forbidden. Hell, there's not one note of guilt in the whole song! The sound of "Eden" is appropriately ethereal and romantic, whether your own private Eden is a garden or inside a hotel room with a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. Like that apple, this song is irresistible. Speaking of feverish romanticism, "The Deepest Dive" is a bona fide love song which pushes Derek's vocals clearly into the forefront. Never before on disc has that voice sounded so tender, with some very impressive high notes thrown in. The sound is invigorating. Another high point on the CD comes with the title track. The hook of "Ugly, Broke, and Sober", is when Derek croons, "I'm gonna be alright", a similar message to that of the overused 2005 hit "Bad Day"... but with its frenetic beat and hard-hitting lyrics, this track is a way cooler, more street-smart anthem of optimism. The closing track, "Steps to the Throne", is a fittingly grand ending that matches what you'd expect from its title. If this finale doesn't make you stand up holding a lighter high above your head, I feel sorry for you. (And if you're clueless as to what I mean by that, you gotta start going to a few more rock concerts...) The predominant vibe running throughout "Ugly, Broke, & Sober" was established with the first song, "Shooting in 60". The same passion about performing and making music that the band conveys in the first five minutes is infused in every one of the 10 tracks on the album. For those of us who aren't rock stars, there's always the thrill of seeing a really great rock band live. Until you get to see Telling on Trixie live, you can get lots of thrills on "Ugly, Broke, & Sober"! Tell your friends, tell your frenemies, tell your tricks... about Telling on Trixie! Jed Ryan DishMiss.com

Not quite as Great as the first Albumn very good though I like it !!!

So I've listened to the album many times now, and I've got to say that this is Telling On Trixie's best album to date. Don't get me wrong, their debut self-titled album is epic, and still sits along side my all-time faves, but Ugly Broke & Sober is the next evolution of Telling On Trixie. In my opinion, ToT found their identity with their freshman album, and with their sophomore album Trixie found its stride. Simply put, it sounds to me like a great band just keeps getting better. So turn it up, and enjoy!

Loving this album, especially the cover of Mad About You. It gets you thinking: it's emotionally deep, but equally fun. The title is also perfectly titled in our nation's current state, esp with what many of us see now when looking in our own mirrors.