Displaying heartfelt emotion and energy to spare, No Pleasantries announces the emergence of U.P.O. as a force to be reckoned with on the alt-rock scene. With a sound similar to Badmotorfinger-era Soundgarden and featuring vocal distortion like that employed by Travis Meeks of Days of the New fame, the album is nothing revolutionary, but it is full of quality tracks that will please all but the most jaded alternative fans. The band is confident and consistent in their sound, and although there is not a great deal of variety on No Pleasantries, it is obvious that U.P.O. knows what it's doing. Even when imploring "Save Me" during the song of that title, lead singer Shawn Albro sounds like he's having a good time, and he is clearly not just going through the motions. If teen angst done right is what you're looking for, No Pleasantries has that in spades, but the band has obviously gotten over it.