Review
Unsane
Wreck

Alternative Tentacles (2012) Bob

Unsane – Wreck cover artwork
Unsane – Wreck — Alternative Tentacles, 2012

Some days, I just can never get enough Unsane on my headphones, which is the method to which I listen to music while at work and might be a great explanation of why that a little Unsane is never enough as anyone with just a tinge of workplace angst might be able to empathize with me; and Wreck is one more reason why the band strikes such a wonderfully sick nerve in my twisted head as the record seemingly picks up right where the band left off with their last album (2007’s Visqueen), though there are some definitely new hues to the band’s palette.

Unsane do not leave any grass under their feet as Wreck just explodes right away with “Rat” and its almost rock and roll leads and guitar sounds blended seamlessly with their rock solid rhythmic interplay, and as “Decay” (actually one of my new favorite songs from the band as it just has this awesome guitar part that ratchets up the emotion of the vocal delivery even more) kicks in immediately following, you get the idea that just maybe Unsane hit on some new and vital vein of creativity playing with their already respected formula to get some great new sounds and songs on Wreck; as the album rolls on, there seems to be some little sound or part in each subsequent song that makes each one immediately draw your attention back to the record (“Pigeon” has the slide guitar and cool feedback sections, “No Chance” has the blaring harmonica, the cool guitar lead in “Don’t”, and the slide guitar peeks through the din again on “Stuck”) and overall fills the record with some great moments.

Maybe it is just me and my personal overlooking of Wreck, but it seems as though the album is flying under the radar a bit and that is certainly a shame because Unsane have certainly turned in an excellent edition to their storied discography; all the hallmarks of the band is here as well as a some great new sounds that add to the texture and makeup of the record, and if you are sleeping on Wreck, do not delay in checking this record out any longer because it is definitely a banger.

7.5 / 10Bob • March 4, 2013

Unsane – Wreck cover artwork
Unsane – Wreck — Alternative Tentacles, 2012

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