Unsane – Wreck (Alternative Tentacles)

As a pioneer of New York noise rock, Unsane has a fearsome reputation. The stomach-turning cover of its debut LP is enough to send most rational humans running to the hills, and it reasonably reflects the sounds found on the wax. So it may come a shock to those that cower in the corner when the New York trio roars by that Wreck is damn near accessible – engaging even. Make no mistake – Unsane has certainly not gone soft. The band still loves ugly sounds, particularly in the case of Chris Spencer‘s edge-of-a-migraine vocals, and disgust, spite, agony and anger still power this smoking engine. But Unsane tempers its aggression with real tunes – the tones may be abrasive, for the most part, but the tracks are rarely out-and-out dissonant. Steely teethkickers like “Don’t,” “Rat” and “Metropolis” would almost pass for old-fashioned punk rock, if not for Spencer’s blistered larynx, while “Decay” and “No Chance” (with its thick harmonica licks) flirt with classic heavy rock. “Stuck” begins with lonesome slide guitar and actual singing, and even when it pumps up the volume (and testosterone), it remains tuneful. Unsane saves its most gleefully savage attack for last, giving Flipper‘s classic “Ha Ha Ha” a sound t(h)rashing – Will Shatter would be proud.

http://www.alternativetentacles.com