Untitled Document

      Not too long ago, Unwritten Law, appeared on the MTV program, “Music in High Places,” which takes artists that would probably never actually get airplay on the “music channel” and lets them play their music in peaceful environments. In Unwritten Law’s case, it was Yellowstone Park. Apparently, something really got to them looking at Old Faithful and bonding with the Crow Indian Tribe because they decided to record a whole friggin’ album there.
     But while Unwritten Law did unplug their guitars, it’s not really accurate to say they’ve taken a folk route. It sounds like Unwritten Law – just softer. The Poway, California quintet consists of Scott Russo on vocals and guitar, Steve Morris on guitar and backing vocals, Wade Youman on drums, Rob Brewer on guitar and backing vocals and Pat Kim on bass. Fans of the band who predate this album may bite through their lips in anguish to learn they did an acoustic version of their single, “Seein’ Red.” The song works both ways. The acoustic version has the same emotion as the original, minus the speed.
The first single released off the album, “Rest of my Life,” is sometimes sappy, but is definitely a good song to listen to on a rainy day. It has some pretty nice strummin’ going on with Scott Russo’s strained, raspy vocals. Speaking of which, Russo has a good voice for acoustic. The texture gives the music a deep, soulful sound.
     This quality especially emerges on “Blame it on Me,” which borders on rockabilly, and “Up All Night.” Russo gets all Louis Armstrong on us, straining his voice to give off a sound packed with such feeling you find yourself hollering along with the audience in the background on “Blame it on Me.”
Probably my favorite song on the album, “Geronimo,” has got to be the perfect guilty pleasure. The song has an inspirational sound to it, which will probably make most critics and image-obsessed posers think admitting they like it will lead to all the people they pretend not to impress judge them as uncool. “Geronimo” is incredibly catchy and just makes you want to get off your arse and do something.
The album goes on to keep a mellow tone, ending with the rather cold “Shallow,” which deals with saying good-bye to an old love on rather unfriendly terms. “And when you’re dying, lying next to me/I’ll turn my head and walk away.” Yeesh.
     Unwritten Law’s acoustic venture is an admirable soul-searching journey that may not be as loud and energetic as their previous work, but anyone looking for a good, mellow album to listen to while lounging around in the park should look no further.

	UNWRITTEN LAW MUSIC IN HIGH PLACES LAVA	LINKS: atlantic-records.com
	Maybe, it’s the crappy government, but something is really pulling out the acoustic folk music of the 1960s. Beck changed his tune with Sea Change and there’s whole surge of singer/songwriters like John Mayer and Ryan Adams. But who knew a skate-punk band would do the same.
Not too long ago, Unwritten Law, appeared on the MTV program, “Music in High Places,” which takes artists that would probably never actually get airplay on the “music channel” and lets them play their music in peaceful environments. In Unwritten Law’s case, it was Yellowstone Park. Apparently, something really got to them looking at Old Faithful and bonding with the Crow Indian Tribe because they decided to record a whole friggin’ album there. But while Unwritten Law did unplug their guitars, it’s not really accurate to say they’ve taken a folk route. It sounds like Unwritten Law – just softer. The Poway, California quintet consists of Scott Russo on vocals and guitar, Steve Morris on guitar and backing vocals, Wade Youman on drums, Rob Brewer on guitar and backing vocals and Pat Kim on bass. Fans of the band who predate this album may bite through their lips in anguish to learn they did an acoustic version of their single, “Seein’ Red.” The song works both ways. The acoustic version has the same emotion as the original, minus the speed. The first single released off the album, “Rest of my Life,” is sometimes sappy, but is definitely a good song to listen to on a rainy day. It has some pretty nice strummin’ going on with Scott Russo’s strained, raspy vocals. Speaking of which, Russo has a good voice for acoustic. The texture gives the music a deep, soulful sound. This quality especially emerges on “Blame it on Me,” which borders on rockabilly, and “Up All Night.” Russo gets all Louis Armstrong on us, straining his voice to give off a sound packed with such feeling you find yourself hollering along with the audience in the background on “Blame it on Me.” Probably my favorite song on the album, “Geronimo,” has got to be the perfect guilty pleasure. The song has an inspirational sound to it, which will probably make most critics and image-obsessed posers think admitting they like it will lead to all the people they pretend not to impress judge them as uncool. “Geronimo” is incredibly catchy and just makes you want to get off your arse and do something. The album goes on to keep a mellow tone, ending with the rather cold “Shallow,” which deals with saying good-bye to an old love on rather unfriendly terms. “And when you’re dying, lying next to me/I’ll turn my head and walk away.” Yeesh. Unwritten Law’s acoustic venture is an admirable soul-searching journey that may not be as loud and energetic as their previous work, but anyone looking for a good, mellow album to listen to while lounging around in the park should look no further.
----Codell Rodriguez