Customer Reviews

Elva

5 star:		(112)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Unwritten Law have always been miles above their genre. Although usually categorized into the pop-punk scene that often beckons one to think "Funny video-Blink 182 clones," Unwritten Law show you can have intelligent songs side by side with some pretty laid back and fun songs. People who buy this on the strength of the single "Seeing Red" might be a little surprised; the aformentioned track is preceeded by five, fast-paced, punk-rock tunes. My favorite song on the whole album is probably "Geronimo," one of the few semi-mellow tracks on here. In fact, most of this CD is pretty fast paced, most songs clocking in at 2 and a half minutes apiece. Which is sort of a shame too, because the whole album is so great, it goes by just a little to fast. Since Unwritten Law are getting pretty big now, you'll hear a lot of those lame "down since day-one" losers claiming "they're on MTV, they sold out" come out of the woodwork, but ignore that. Because no matter what anyone says, no matter how you cut it, Elva is definetly a most excellent album.

The San Diego based Unwritten Law demostrates how a cd should be produced and released. Even though the cd has been out months in Australia, Elva will soon be big all over the world. From the first track "Mean Girl" with its Fuel like sound to the last track "Evolution" which has a Bad Brains vibe, Unwritten Law created a compact disc that will please punk, ska, metal, and pop fans alike. The tracks that stand out the most are "Seein' Red" which is mid-tempo ballad that whom give Creed the run for their money, the heavy hitter punk anthem "Hellborn", and the semi-acoustic "Rest of My Life" which has that beach like Sublime sound. Mix in some soliloquies for the mad man genius Raliegh Theodore Saker and an interesting phone message called "Nick and Phil" - you have a modern day masterpiece. Unwritten Law may not be a house hold name yet but if you want to high the NEXT big band, check out Elva and you will not be disappointed.

I first heard of Unwritten Law through MTV and the single "Seein' Red". "Mean Girl" is an awesome, fairly heavy song with a good chorus. "Up All Night" is a melodic chorused, strange sounding beginninged song, but is actually really cool once you get used to it. "Sound Siren" is one of the most awesome songs on here, and this song alone would be worth buying the CD, with a melodic sound to the song all the way through. "How You Feel" has a great chorus and great background music. "Blame It On Me" is slightly weird, but actually a pretty heavy and rough track. "Seein' Red" is an awesome track, and I really love the stopping style of the chorus and tuned down rest of the song. "Nick and Phil" is sorta funny, with it being a phone call and the weird usage of curse words. "Hellborn" is a really loud, barely understandable, curse-filled, blood pumping track, while the next song, "Geronimo" ,another of the three best songs on "Elva", is much softer and is filled with a melodic sound, something that is fairly rare in the first ten and absent in the last seven. "Rescue Me" is a cool song, with the odd, stopping style of the song around the chorus, while "Actress, Model.." is a strange, un-original but still fairly good song. "Raleigh(Soliquity pt.V)" is an intro to "Babylon", and is not that bad, being somewhat humorous. "Babylon" is another heavy track, like "Hellborn" and "Blame It On Me". "Raleigh(Soliquity pt.VI)" is a funny, strange outro to "Babylon". "Rest Of My Life" is a slower, nice- instrumentally and somewhat lyrical song, while "Elva(It's Alright)" has a catchy chorus and is easy to remember by the Repeating of the words 'it's alright'. "Evolution", the last song, is pretty catchy, but kind of wordy and long. Strangely, it seems to me that at the end of "Evolution" they make fun of one of their own songs, track 2, "Up All Night". I recommend this to anyone who likes Blink-182, Sum 41, or Green Day, I'm sure you'd love it as much as I do.

For all of the people who thought that there self titled album was great, then this album is (really) great. I brought this cd the day it was released and so far the cd hasn't been to far from my side. It gets played at home, in the car, on my discman, everywhere i go.

All the songs are awsome, but the standout songs on this album would have to be up: Up All Night, Sound Siren, Actress,Model...., Elva & Evolution. But the best track whould have to be Rest Of My Life. I think it's this album's Calin.

I consider myself lucky getting my copy signed when they did an instore appearance at a music store in Melbourne, & I highly recommend this album to be brought by all unwritten law fans as soon as its released in the states or if you can't wait that long you should buy the import. It is well worth it. Just trust me.

I bought this cd mostly because of the single "Seein Red" and expected the rest of the cd to sound exactly the same like so many other cd's I've bought in the past. This cd changes so many times you begin to think this band might actually have talent (and they do)! I'll rate them one by one:
1. Mean Girl-8/10-Pretty good song that starts off the cd
2. Up All Night-6/10-Didn't care for this song (kind of boring)
3. Sound Siren-7/10-Same thing but I like the bridge
4. How YouFeel-8/10-Good song with a reggae groove to it
5. Blame It On Me-10/10-Hard rock meets the 50s, amazing song
6. Seein Red-9/10-Still a great song but kinda overplayed
7. Nick & Phil-6/10-Slightly amusing but not hilarious
8. Hellborn-4/10-Good rockin' song with weak,stupid lyrics
9. Geronimo-8/10-Another Seein Red-like song
10.Rescue Me-11/10-The best song, period
11.Actress...-7/10-Ok song but one of the weaker ones
12.Raleigh V-5/10-Funny but confusing
13.Babylon-8/10-Another good song
14.Raleigh VI-10/10-HOW DOES HE DO THAT!
15.Rest Of My Life-8/10-Nice little acoustic gutitar song
16.Elva-10/10-One of my favorite slower songs
17.Evolution-10/10-Another mind blowing song from a great band

If you were to lazy to read all that, read this: BUY THIS CD!!!

I have always heard of the band Unwritten Law, but never really heard any of their music. So I heard they were coming out with a new album, so I figured I would pick it up. I was quite impressed with the album. It starts out with the hard driven track "Mean Girl" which is an awesome song. After that it goes into my favorite song on the album "Up All Night" and I just heard it is their next single. Another strong cut from the album is the hit single "Seein' Red" which is an exceptional song. The rest of the album is filled with some ska, punk, a little metal, and some ballads. One of the last songs on the album titled "Elva" is a great ballad for the album. Overall I was quite impressed with this album.

Unwitten Law is a lot different than a most bands out there. They have there own style and different types of songs that fit every mood you could posibly be in. Some are slow and acoustic and have a soft sound to them (Rest of My Life, Elva). Some songs are really fast and upbeat (Up All Night, Blame it On Me, Hellborn). Also some songs are just the right pace (Seein' Red, How You Feel, Rescue Me). But whatever music your feeling at the moment, there is something on this CD. I like pretty much every song on this album but my top 5 hav to be..

1. Rest of My Life
2. Elva
3. Seein' Red
4. Rescue Me
5. Up All Night

This is definetly UL's best cd yet! They are a great mix of punk, alternative, metal, and emo. They are like no band I know. The lyrics are awesome, and the guitar riffs are amazing! I have to say my favorite song is Seein' Red. I heard it on the radio, and thought, Wow, this is an awesome song! It's soft most of the time, but the chorus is the best! I bought the Cd and couldn't stop listening to it! This cd IS NOT POP-PUNK!!! it's much differnt than that.elva is truly an Awesome CD! If you don't have it, BUY IT NOW!!! IT IS AWESOME!!!

Unwritten Law made their first appearance in 1995. The band has come a long way since then, replacing members and gaining fans along their journey. With the release of Elva, their fourth album, Unwritten Law has continued to increase their fan-base, even though some veteran fans feel disappointed. Overall, their is no specific tone set for Elva. Each song carries its own mood. Also, with the various tunes, beats, and riffs, Elva manages to evoke different emotions throughout the album. As I stated, the album's sound is quite diverse. The title track, "Elva(I'm All Right)," has a soft melody and might give the listener a more positive outlook on their day. "Babalon" gives the album a change of pace with a fast, rebellious tune. These tracks and twelve others, combined with a few humorous interludes, form an interesting album. Personally, I enjoyed this album. Before Elva, I was unfamiliar with Unwritten Law. After listening to Elva, though, it prompted me to listen to their previous releases. There is a noticeable difference among their other albums and Elva. Of course, I believe change is not always a bad thing. Elva is a great album that will please most general rock fans. With its blend of punk, pop, and a little bit of reggae, Elva is a musical roller coaster that I enjoyed. Unfortunately, though, some fans believe that the members of Unwritten Law have forgotten their "punk roots." I believe that they have merely evolved.

I've been starting to play catch-up with some great bands recently since a lot of new music nowadays has become a bit stale. I just started getting into Unwritten Law and while a part of me wants to say it's cool punk music, it really has a sound all its own.

The radio tracks never really drew me in. "Seein Red" and "Up All Night" are good, but nothing I'd consider to buy an album from. Strangely, a lot of the slower stuff got me interested.

"Rest of My Life" is probably my favorite track on the album, which is simply a ballad. Yet somehow, they keep it from sounding sappy with its earnest singing and lyrics, not to mention the great acoustic guitar accompaniment. The following track "Elva" is my next favorite. It has a similar sound and theme.

Not to be outdone by the slow, many of the faster tracks are good as well. "Blame It On Me" has very cool guitars and "Mean Girl" plays out like the anti-"Rest-of-My-Life" with great lyrics and guitar.

Which isn't to say it's all good. "Evolution" teeters dangerously into cloying rap/rock territory. I also tire of skits on albums. Let's just hear the music, guys.

I don't want to classify it in one genre as it has elements from several types. Let's just say it's a great rock album and leave it at that.