Unsettled

Nakatomi Plaza | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 13, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lumberjack Mordam Music
• ASIN: B000L22SZ2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #551,058 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The 11 songs on NAKATOMI PLAZA's Unsettled find the band very comfortable on unsteady ground. Perhaps the title refers to theÊlyrical theme of discontentÊand general discontent with general American life, or perhaps it's an allusion to the idea of urban gentrification as presented in the first track "A Manifest Destiny Grows In Brooklyn". The track makes reference to the bands hometown of Brooklyn, NY where they straddle the scene between the indie rock scene galleries and clubsÊthat launched the careers of bands like YEAH YEAH YEAHS, PARTS + LABOR, and TV ON THE RADIO, and the basements and house shows that sprouted punk bands like SAETIA, HOT CROSS, and ORCHID.ÊHaving evolved dramatically from previous releases (self released EP, Private Property CD on Immigrant Son, and split 7"s with THE FRENETICS and LATTERMAN), the band finds itself trapped betweenÊtwo worlds. Drawing as much on their hardcore roots as their indie rock sensibilities, creating a unique blend that is as off putting and exhilarating the first time you hear it as the thousandth. Maybe the juxtaposition of the dueling male and female vocals, both singing and screaming over tracks that swoop and soar, is what is meant to leave the listener unsettled. As much as the music challenges the listener, the songs hooks and choruses always draw them back.ÊAmazingly the band finds a constant in their near flawless musicianship, where a stunning, pounding rhythm section manages to back guitars that shriek and wail under an assault from Guitarist/Singer Oscar Rodriguez, one of the best guitarists in music today. All of this is expertly captured by producer J. Robbins (Against Me!, Promise Ring, etc). The contrasts in this band, with their personal political/personal ideas sung/screamed by dueling boy/girl vocals, make this record as challenging and exhilarating as anything in music, and it will leave you unsettled in the way only the best music can. I still listen to this record and find new things, new challenges, even as I write this.
FOR FANS OF: PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES, JAWBOX, ANTIOCH ARROW

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars This cd is just ok..., September 16, 2008

By 

M. Baird - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Unsettled (Audio CD)

I picked up Nakatomi Plaza's "Private Property" album which just blew my mind. What a great album from start to finish

This one....not nearly as good. The best songs on it are the ones I already heard on myspace and playlist.com, the rest of the songs are just mediocre at best.

If you have to get 1 cd by Nakatomi Plaza, go get "Private Property"

5.0 out of 5 stars Unsettled, December 12, 2007

By 

Benjamin Moureau-lucadamo "Ben" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unsettled (Audio CD)

They are currently the best band from Brooklyn, and no one knows them. WTF?
Energetic, guitar riff driven, and aggressive at times. Male/Female vocals work well, and the lyrics at times are very meaningful. Probably one of the best post-hardcore releases in the last few years.