UnAlbumParJour — 3 years ago
Ugly Casanova – Sharpen Your Teeth
In 1998, Edgar Graham, a.k.a. “Ugly Casanova”, met Modest Mouse while backstage at a concert in Denver, Colorado. He shared his work with the band, and began performing it early before shows while some people were milling around. Whenever he completed these performances, he retreated quickly with a look of anger and shame. After a time, a few small recordings were created, after which Edgar vanished completely. Promoters claimed Edgar Graham was the master behind Ugly Casanova’s genius. Edgar had brought him lyrics that he had written. So when it came time to hype Ugly Casanova, Brock offered up Graham, who according to legend, composed the songs found on Sharpen Your Teeth. Edgar doesn’t exist. He was created so Isaac could avios interviews.
the weird thing is, the darkness’ drummer’s name is Ed Graham. they came into view around 2004. Ugly Casanova was probably around 2001-2002
This album is signed to sub pop, obviosly home to The Postal Service, The Shins, and Wolf Parade. not bad, not bad at all. But since Isaac is on contract with epic, another release with sub pop, let alone ugly casanoca, seems unlikely. a shame really.
i like modest mouse. a lot. and Ugly Casanova sounds like modest mouse about 50%. the other half could consist of Radiohead/the american analog set/ black heart procession. the vocals sound like isaac brock. The sound can be contributed to the melting pot of sub pop related artists. The Members are as followed—Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse), Tim Rutili (Califone, Red Red Meat), Paul Jenkins (The Black Heart Procession), John Orth (Holopaw), and Brian Deck.
i really did like it, i mostly listened to it going to and from school, but still, i like what i heard. Perfect rainy day music, which it was today. i enjoyed “cat faces” because im a sucker for harmony. the pitchbend in their sound accompanied with strings in “smoke like ribbons” makes me want to pee my pants.You know how you can read book with audio tapes? well sometimes i do that with albums, following along with a lyrics site and for this album i liked it, because the lyrics are just different, not weird, jsut different. and besides, and band with a name as cool as ugly casanova, has to be good.
i found out about them in a related artist section in an interview with Modest Mouse.
last time they were on tour was 2002 and with iron and wine, if you want to see them live, you’ve missed your chance.
“They said they’d give me everything,
here’s the part that made me laugh.
They didn’t give me anything
and then they took half of that”
-Pacifico

