After having a couple of songs featured on compilations (such as Deep Elm's Emo Diaries, Chapter II), Pop Unknown has now released its debut EP entitled Summer Season Kills, also on Deep Elm Records. This Austin, TX based band features Tim Lasater on vocals/guitar, Joel Ganucheau on guitar, Burt Estes on bass, and Gabe Wiley (ex-Mineral) on drums. Summer Season Kills is a solid first effort for a band who has spent the last year or so playing loads of live shows in Austin and around the US...and they're a great live band if you get a chance to see them perform. Pop Unknown plays a blend of emotional post-hardcore rock and good old-fashioned pop, even managing to mix in some keyboards here and there. But don't worry. For those of you like me who cringe when the words "rock" and "keyboards" are used in the same sentence, Pop Unknown manages to pull this off tastefully, using the keyboard to add layers of sound instead of as a solo instrument.
The album's two strongest tracks are probably the first two, with the first track "Follow You" being the most emo-rockish of the bunch, containing the standard slow build-up and repetition of the lyric "I will follow you anywhere." The final three tracks seem to drop off a little, not providing anything that countless other indie rock releases haven't provided before. But if you're a fan of indie bands like Mineral and Pavement, that's not a bad thing. Overall, Summer Season Kills is a solid first effort from a young band with a bright future.
Similar sounding releases
2001The World Inside / Seven Head DivisionUntitled
2003Old Devil MoonMidnight and Bright
2002Elevator DivisionWhatever Makes You Happy
2000Cross My HeartTemporary Contemporary
2004The GhostThis Pen Is A Weapon
1998The Appleseed CastThe End of the Ring Wars
