So, You're Interested In... Unwound

On this episode, we discover the incredible discography of Olympia's own Unwound, one of the greatest post-hardcore acts of the 90s.
~~~~~Albums~~~~~
Repetition: open.spotify.com/album/4XpO1b...
Leaves Turn Inside You: open.spotify.com/album/2U8kIv...
~~~~~Tracks~~~~~
Kantina: open.spotify.com/track/4sjE1Z...
Petals Like Bricks: open.spotify.com/track/2SHWWT...
Hexenzsene: open.spotify.com/track/0HDXUF...
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[@StaggaLags]

The way I started with Unwound was with Leaves Turn Inside You, which took me about three tries to fully fall in love with. Not only is it a double-length LP, We Invent You is an intentionally challenging opening track. At least it's the ONLY 2 minutes of drone on there. Then, after years of believing Leaves was the only effort of theirs worth the time, I backtracked to the chronological start: Fake Train. Although the self-titled was the first album they recorded with original drummer Brandt Sandeno, they shelved it until fan interest had them release it on Vern's label, Punk In My Vitamins?, in 1995. Anyways, Fake Train. Lucky Acid I picked at random at first (I hadn't had the best experiences with psychedelics at the time), and it completely encapsulated what the mental anguish of a bad acid trip was like, first person self-admonishment included. So, I gave the rest of it a go. WHAT A FUCKING ALBUM. Valentine Card/Kantina/Were, Are, and Was or Is, AKA Unwound's "Trilogy" akin to Sonic Youth... What a fucking suite. Honourosis being its woozy hangover, then straight hardcore bangers in Pure Pain Sugar and Gravity Slips. Next, New Plastic Ideas. If Leaves is Unwound's towering achievement, this is the rooftop next to it. Solely based on play time, this could qualify as my favorite Unwound record. The pacing and song arrangement from producer Steve Fisk has to be commended here - this has the best start to finish flow out of all Unwound records in my opinion. I could keep wall of texting with how excellent The Future of What is, with your mention of Petals Like Bricks & its transcendentally abrasive and ugly closer, like its namesake, like the band it references, Swan. My point is, going chronologically through Unwound's catalogue (maybe even starting with the Unwound S/T or the Kid is Gone boxset) is EXTREMELY rewarding. In one of the booklets Numero Group released (either for Rat Conspiracy or No Energy), Sara spoke about how Vern and their roadie, Dirty, got deeply into The Beatles while on tour, and had discussions about their transformation from pop mop top wonders to psychedelic icons. It's no surprise that Unwound crafted their own transformation from Fake Train to Leaves Turn. I'd only recommend chronological order if one has the time and patience, but it is entirely worth witnessing their evolution.

[@ForeverSpinning]

Wow. Thank you for such an in depth comment regarding Unwound. I can only say so much in my videos, so I really hope people scroll down and see this. I’ve only listened to each Unwound album a handful of times, but you sound like an encyclopedia of knowledge on the band lol. I’m going to have to go back and relisten to some of these projects with a different mindset. Thanks again for the insightful comment. Much love.

[@StaggaLags]

You're welcome! My comment was just explaining my experience with them, not a critique on your video. Every format has its limits, and explaining what Unwound means to me on a personal level would be feature length, if I had to make one video. I'd say you're correct on what albums to pick if you want your toes wet: Repetition and Leaves are definitely it. I really got back into them around 2019, after first hearing Leaves in 2014. Considering the fatalistic attitude Justin had, there really was no better band for me to help cope with 2020. Most people admire Unwound; I sort of obsess. One day I'll have the same Univox Hi-Flier (among other Japanese made guitars) and Sunn Concert Lead Justin used to craft that noisy ass sound. Oh, and crazy amounts of info is available on the band, from their self-owned archive, to the accidentsonpurpose fansite, to Numero Group's "Stories" page.

[@MrWbc85]

Unwound are a real hidden gem. Three fantastic albums with the others all being good.

[@dollarsaurus01]

Dude your content and collection is amazing! Unwound is such a unique band and a great rabbit hole to go down

[@sydneykamer3434]

Duuude 41 views? Are you _fucking kidding me?!!_ This is amazing stuff man, just subscribed!

[@ForeverSpinning]

Hahaha yea it’s crazy to me too. Thanks for the support!

[@emodud1]

One of my favorite bands, thanks for making a video on em!

[@ForeverSpinning]

No problem! Unwound kick ass. RIP Vern

[@ModestMa0ist]

new plastic is their best album

[@nottucks]

Awesome perspective!

[@ForeverSpinning]

Thanks!

[@csblack72780]

Just found Unwound and I'm really enjoying experiencing their music for the first time. Seems like a very helpful video, so thanks for that. What's the t-shirt you're wearing in the video?

[@ForeverSpinning]

I’m glad you liked the video, and more importantly, are getting into Unwound! The t-shirt was a design by a guy in Pittsburgh called Roaming Souls. I actually won the shirt in a contest and I’m not too sure if he still makes clothes

[@nonservitium]

I thought they were from Tumwater

[@ForeverSpinning]

After a quick Google search, yes you are completely right

[@nonservitium]

@@ForeverSpinning yeah, same as karp

[@punkinmyvitamins1]

Don’t listen to this guy. Unwound’s style changes from a more post hardcore sound to mathy, to post rock over their 10 yr span. If you want a more raw sound listen to their early stuff, if you want more a clean indie guitar sound listen to their later albums. I originally didn’t listen to Leaves. But now it’s one of my favorites. Repetition is one of my least favorites…. “The future of what” may be my favorite album by them.

[@hieutruong7456]

That’s funny, Repetition is probably one of if not my favourite of theirs