Customer Reviews

Unified Theory

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

The self-titled debut album by Unified Theory has just arrived, and its outstanding. The band is composed of Blind Melon members Brad Smith and Chris Thorn, former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen and newcomer, lead singer Chris Shinn. The songs which stand out to me are Cessna, Wither, Passive and Keep On. Cessna is placed wisely at the beginning of the cd, its a strong alt-rock song that carries a great melody and introduces the amazing vocals of chris shinn. Wither is on the mellow side, it begins with a bit of acoustic guitar and then moves into a rhythm that is impossible to forget. You find yourself repeating the lyrics "and so i'll sit, and watch you wither, on by" many times aloud and in your head. Passive is another soft song, it begins with an electric riff and quiet vocals which continue to get louder until you hear shinn belt out "closer then i ever thought i could be, i believe now..." it a gorgeous song. Keep on is best described as haunting, it is carried by a piano piece and shinns changing vocals. This whole album is great, unified theory has added a twist to the alternative rock sound and its an amazing twist. They should have no trouble making it big, incredible sound, incredible cd, buy it.

I randomly stumbled upon this cd by means of a friend who is a long term fan of blind melon. After a few listens, it quickly dawned on me that this is one of the best inde rock albums released in recent years. The vocalist sounds a little like Shannon at times, but not so much that you would think they are trying to recreate blind melon. This cd ranges along the lines of the formerly stated band, but adds so much more depth of inde rock influences. The other strong influence that I hear through the cd is that of sunny day real estate. Considering that inde/alternative rock today usually implies "emo"(aka, crap), this cd is a much needed relief to the fan of real, true rock. Well produced, dynamic, solid, and all around just good music.

For those who do not know anything about Unified Theory, this band consists of former members of Peal Jam and Blind Melon. However, try to leave that fact at the door when you begin to listen to this CD. The music is very layered and textured and the high voice of Chris Shinn soars over the tracks. It is very different from what you have heard from Blind Melon and Pearl Jam. I really appreciate what this new band is trying to create. The sound is very fresh and the future is looking very bright for UT. In this time of "boy bands" and "rap metal", rock and roll needs a band like this one.

My favorite tracks include: "Cessna", "California", "Passive", "Wither", and "AM Radio".

"Reunion" and "supergroup" - no two words loom more suspiciously in rock and roll. After all, how many such liaisons are not overblown, pompous reruns from musicians riding the coattails of past glory? Luckily, even though Unified Theory reunite two former Blind Melon members, guitarist Christopher Thorn and bassist Brad Smith, and pairs them with one-time Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen and introduces a relative newcomer, lead vocalist Chris Shinn (formerly of the Tool-like Celia Green), the quartet's self-titled debut bears no such stigma.

Kickoff track "Cessna" erupts in a barrage of underwater alterna-guitar sounds as Shinn's voice aches despairingly, soothed only by Smith's angelic harmonies. The next two tracks are equally pensive but heavy and driving: First single "California" adds Zeppelin guitar crunch to Jane's Addiction-esque high-pitched vocal earnestness, and wham-dinger dynamo "Instead of Running" nails the opening triptych with the kind of melodic hook that remains long after song's end. Produced by Thorn, Smith, and Shinn (and with Matthew Steer drumming on some tracks), the album follows with mainly lighter, clever chill-out rock, nicely perked up by "Self Medicate," a skyward-bound guitar pop number a la Manic Street Preachers. With no desperate rap or gratuitous hip-hop headbanger in sight, this band's engulfing, prog-rockish, blues-based alternative rock, with its nod to classic roots is indeed a unified theory.

The first song I heard of this band was "Wither", and I thought it was Blind Melon. I think that Unified Theory managed to take what Blind Melon had established and expand on it. The singer has an eerily similar vocal style to that of the late Shannon Hoon. Unified Theory has a more of a rock sound when compared to the blues sound of Blind Melon, but I think that they mangaged to pull it off and created a great album.

I'm not a music critic, so I won't pretend to be here!

I originally heard about this band online and bought the album on the strength of 3 songs, only one of which (Passive) is on this album. I listened to the album eagerly and found it a little difficult to get into and was disappointed not to be able to hear all the songs I wanted. Having said that, this album gets played regularly both at home and when i'm out cycling. The songs grow and grow and they're worth the effort of listening to. What one UK reviewer described as 'atypical drumming' may be why - it seems harder to get into music if the drummer uses unusual rhythms or rhythms that change unexpectedly. Once you have listened to the same piece a few times, you anticipate those changes and the song becomes not only more accessible, but more interesting too.

Tool are a good example of this: great use of atypical rhythm and not immediately accessible music, but more than worth the effort. I totally recommend checking them out, although stylistically they're totally different to Unified Theory. (Although, strangely, both have been compared to Alice In Chains - I don't think the comparison is particularly valid though.)

These artists are not trying to be Blind Melon, although 2 out of the original 5 members are in this band. I'm not going to say any more on that; it's obvious by listening to the album.

As an added note of interest, Unified Theory are no longer together, but have put together a second album to be released around mid 2007. Entitled 'Cinematic', fans of the band got to choose the tracks that went onto this new album, so if you're a fan you may well enjoy this new output.

Also, Blind Melon have reformed with a new singer and (I think) sound very good indeed from the three songs they posted online for public appraisal. There is talk (from the band, not merely hopeful fans!) of a tour and album this year (2007), and even the possibility that Unified Theory may support them! Just how that would work, I don't know. I suspect it might be too much to ask of the two who are members of both bands. Would they get paid twice, d'ya think?

Anyway, awesome music that's well worth the effort of listening to more than once and great new sounds still to come.

8)

The Unified Theory's debut cd will shock and amaze you! This is primo liquid rock people. That's the best way I can describe it. The music melts together into beautiful art. Everything on this record is amazing and from what I've heard of their unreleased songs, it seems they don't know how to write bad music. They've all been around awhile and come from a couple of the 90s elite bands.(Blind Melon and Pearl Jam) If you buy this disc you won't be dissapointed. If you are dissapointed you must be listening the wrong way.

This band must be brand new because I have not found much information on them. One thing I can say is that this album is great. They sort of remind me of Janes Addiction. The lead singer has that Perry Farrel tone going on yet blends his own style in. It shows on songs like "California", which has that catchy guitar hook blended with the wistful vocal stylings (very catchy song). The album moves to songs like "Wither" and "Fin", which have an acoustic, mellow yet hooky feel as well. All in all I expect everyone to hear more about this band soon. They are that type of great sound that can't be hidden for long.

This music is perhaps the best I have ever heard, certainly the best in YEARS. I was originally a HUGE Blind Melon fan (still am) and that is what made me check this out. Christopher Thorn (Guitar) and Brad Smith (Bass) from Blind Melon are in this band, as is Dave Krusen (Drums), the original drummer from Pearl Jam.

The element that shocks me to this day is the fact that I would like the one dude I didn't know in the line up from the start. Lead vocalist/guitarist extroirdinare, Chris Shinn. His vocals are hauntingly beautiful/awesome. EVERYONE that I have had check the band out have come away with an appreciation for real music and an addiction to this band.

They just released a new CD online on Rhapsody entitled "Cinematic" and it will be available on itunes in the next month or so. I paid the $9 to download it and it is equally impressive. What's even more impressive is Chris Shinn's new band, EVERYTHING IS ENERGY. They are currently on tour and I have seen them twice as well as met the band. Hell I was fortunate enough to hang out with them and have breakfast after one of the shows! But I digress, this CD rocks, get it, get "Cinematic" and then check out EVERYTHING IS ENERGY. Their new CD is arguably even better than the Unified Theory stuff, and that's saying A LOT considering the talent U.T. had.

[...]

For starters Unified Theory had some of the greatest music I have heard yet. Every single one of the songs on this album are unbelievable. They blow that pop rock out of the water with amazing sounds. If you like rock music even slightly you will love this album. Now to the bad news. I have heard that Unified Theory has broken up and I am almost positive it's true. Music fans will only have this one album to hold on to.