Explode

Unseen | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 3, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Better Youth Org.
• ASIN: B00009EIPW
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,590 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Explode, the fourth album by Boston's Unseen, is slightly more mature than their earlier releases. It's still pure street punk: 12 songs in barely 21 minutes, each one of them more strident, pissed-off, and aggressive than the one before; but this album hangs together much better than earlier efforts like Lower Class Crucifixion. The songs are uniformly ultra-tight, which ratchets up the tension far more effectively on one-minute bursts of aggro like "Fed Up" and "Useless Regrets." As always on this kind of hardcore album, the songs end up blurring into one another, which only adds to the album's total impact. Strictly for hardcore purists, of course, but Explode is an aptly-titled missile of an album. ~ Stewart Mason, Rovi --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the same, January 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Explode (Audio CD)

With Paul out of the picture, The Unseen are definitly not the same band at all. It just seems all the passion has been drained. This album has ok songs, but nothing special. Stick to the first two albums, which were some of the best street punk records of their time.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hard times for The Unseen, August 10, 2003

By 

"whatweleftbehind" (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Explode (Audio CD)

This album is anything but the Unseen we all know and love. My least favorite of their records. What has become of this band? Everyone changes, that's what happened. Granted, age and experience may bring about big transformations in a band, this is a little too much of a change. Their first two albums will remain the best, and "The Anger and The Truth" (although many claim that it was a flop) is actually really good. I just can't say that "Explode" is enjoyable. I hated it the first time I heard it, and it actually doesn't seem too bad once you listen to it a few times. That is, until you actually read the lyrics which made me wish I never bought it. It has just become too generic and hollow. I gave it 3 stars, because the music is actually pretty good and the vocals are decent. I just can't give it any more credit than that because of the lack of lyrical significance. All the songs are pretty much the same. Plus, the album is way too short. Their first album was 30 minutes long and this one dies out at a pitiful 22 minutes, not worth the price you pay. Alas, The Unseen. It was great while it lasted. The Unseen will always be one of my favorite bands, but I think your times is up, guys.

5.0 out of 5 stars Explode (****1/2), July 22, 2008

By 

Morton (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Explode (Audio CD)

The Unseen-Explode ****1/2

Explode is by far my favorite of the Unseens albums. While not as strong as other releases (namely Internal Salvation, State of Discontent, and So This Is Freedom?) but it was the first Unseen record I fell in love with. Explode was really the first punk album to make me take notice of things that go on in the world around us. It made me realize that music can be more than just sex, drugs, and good times. It can be more than your own personal pain but the pain of others; the pain of the world.

'False Hope' the albums opener was like a wave of consciousness hitting me right between the teeth. The title track 'Explode' does just that. 'Tsunami Suicide' and 'Remains Unseen' about the underdogs and people pushed aside serve as the albums strongest tracks and some of the bands strongest to date. 'Victims' is the most overlooked track on the album which is sad considering it is one of their best. Marks vocals and lyrics through out kill, as do the constantly stellar guitar riffs. Though there are a few weak moments, namely 'New World Disorder.' It plays like a good idea but never totally follows through and delivers like it could have. Though it does contain some of Marks greatest lyrics.

Explode is a far cry from The Unseens best work, or that of The Virus' weakest work for that matter but it is truly an album worth giving a shot. As I said of all the groups album this is truly my personal favorite.