Pop Unknown, "If Arsenic Fails, Try Algebra" Review

JFH Staff Review

Pop Unknown
If Arsenic Fails, Try Algebra

Album length: 11 tracks: 49 minutes, 47 seconds
Street Date: 2000

Pop Unknown comes from Austin, Texas. These boys are not inexperienced. They all came together after their time with other Austin-based bands (Mineral, Imbroco, and Feed Lucy). Practice makes perfect. Is this album perfect? Well. It is a power-pop, power-cord, pop-punk, emo masterpiece. Is it perfect? Heck yeah! I have a lot of my friends listening to this album with me. The Album is like a 1000 piece puzzle that your grandmother put together in 49 minutes and 47 seconds. Each song goes side by side. It fits OH so perfectly. Basically the second I put this CD in I fell in love. It really hasn't left my sight!

I find this band to be very talented. Experienced and full of excitment and emotion. Boasting a 3-guitar set-up along with a bass and drums (by Gabe Wiley, Mineral's old drummer) of course. A vocal set up that I have never even heard before, by Tim Lasater. His voice is kind of deep and hard to describe, but he uses his voice like he uses his guitar. With a mix of power, pop, and emotion.

This album is such a mix of music and lyrics. A huge transition from the first track, "Head in the Sand," to the last track "foward = rewind." Every song has a new twist in it. Maybe a piano here ("an offering") or a power cord melody ("last to know") to ballads ("lonely here with me" and "perfect in venice") to something more moody ("tatoo your image"). This album has something for everyone.

This has turned into one of my favorite albums. I love it. And I can't stop listening to it. You have to get this. It is one of the best albums to open this year off with. Trust me. It covers just about every emotion that you can have. It's so great! I definitely give it 5 out of 5!

- Review date: 1/8/00, written by Chaz Murphy