Search - Unrest :: Imperial Ffrr

Unrest is brilliant, so why doesn't anyone listen to them?

Adam Rickards | Las Vegas, NV United States | 09/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, I am going to go out on a limb here and plug one of my favorite bands, Washington D.C.'s brilliant experimental indie-pop band Unrest. This album, Imperial F.F.R.R. (short for Full Frequency Range Recording) was originally released in 1992, and is a masterpiece of an album. Originally Unrest started as an artsy-hardcore act, and had released a couple of albums before this, but they remained undistinguished until bassist Bridget Cross joined the band in 1991, at which time they modified their sound into the artsy, minimalist indie-pop sound that is found here. Sadly, after releasing an EP and the Perfect Teeth album, they broke up in '94. This is, I believe, their best full length release. The songs actually display a rather wide range, from the infectiously catchy songs "Suki," "I Do Believe You Are Blushing," and "Cherry Cream On" to the artsy instrumentals tracks "Sugarshack" and "Champion Nines" (the latter uses various types of bells as instruments!). For a change of pace, the band delivers the great acoustic "Isabel," a tribute to painter Isabel Bishop (a subsequent EP was named after her, for which the song was re-recorded with a lusher, "Champion Nines"-ish backing). The centerpiece of this album is "Imperial" which (depsite its seven minute length) is absolutely gorgeous. I like playing the intro to this song on my guitar. The lovely, bass-driven "June" is, I have to say, nothing short of a hidden gem. This track is the only one on the album written by Bridget Cross, who also sings lead vocals on it, and I think her voice is very warm and very beautiful. This is my favorite song on the album (although "Imperial" comes in a close second). Unrest's musical vision strictly limited them to indie status (and they are all the better for it), but I still feel like I am the only one who listens to this band, and that's kind of a shame, really, considering how unique this band was. If you are a fan of the Pixies, Sonic Youth, the Strokes, or indie rock/alternative rock in general, then I highly recommend that you track this album down and listen to it. Unrest is a great band, and they deserve to be heard."

The Purest Indie Rock Along With Pavement

Adam Rickards | 10/23/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although Unrest records are way hard to find at music stores, this album is common in almost every record shop's stock and I think it resumes notabily the story of a great indie band from Washington D.C. The two catchieswt tunes, Suki and Cherry Cherry could be alterna-pop himns, while the exquisite I Think that you are Blushing touches the deepest legacyes of bands such as The Smiths. Undoubtly, the masterpiece here is Loyola, where Robinson and Co. take you to a trip of different muds guided by the excelent blending of the guitars. Unrest's other albums -particulary the firsts, like Malcolm X Park and Cath Caroll- are notable,being comparable only with Pavement's Slanted and Enchanted and the Watery Domestic EP, nevertheless it's a pity that almost all of them are no longer available. However, you can get to know part of this job by purchasing the F*ck P*ssy Galore (And All Her Friends) compilation."

Early 90's Unknown Masterpiece

Gabriel V. Delsaz | Miami, FL USA | 09/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is an unrecognized classic and one of the best albums of the early 90's. Stylistically very diverse, it contains power pop songs like Suki and Cherry Cream On and slower, beautiful and fragile songs like I Do Believe You're Blushing and Imperial. If you're a fan of minimalist indie I can't recommend this album enough. If only today a band would come out and make something as innocent and beautiful as this..."