Rockbites: Debut LP by Unisex sneaks onto rock landscape

newsarchive

March 2001 • Rockbites Alternative Daily

back to March 2001 index

Debut LP by Unisex sneaks onto rock landscape
27 March 2001

Although originally released in November 2000, the debut album (following a string of singles and EPs) by Burton On Trent ambient spacerock quintet Unisex has remained low to the ground and off the radar, save that of some of the more in-touch zines and indie record stores. You can’t buy Stratosfear on CDnow, Amazon (.com or .co.uk), or on Buy.com; and you won’t find reviews of it from Spin, Rolling Stone, MTV, NME, or SonicNet. Which is a remarkable instance of outstanding music languishing without media recognition or full distribution. But you found this review, and that’s a good thing.
    Stephen Lawrie and Joanna Doran, both previously in The Telescopes, formed Unisex in 1996 with soundtrack composer Nick Hemming. Now, you may know that The Telescopes underwent an interesting transformation as the ’80s turned to the ’90s, moving from hardcore soft/loud art rock (on their debut album, Taste) to something spacier and mellower (on their self-titled follow-up). But they never really had a chance to explore and develop the more ambient dimensions of their muse. That awkward second album, while quite beautiful, has always seemed a bit on the cloying side to me. The band’s vision may have exceeded their means to attain it.
    With Unisex, the circle has been squared: Lawrie, Doran, Hemming & Co. get it right. All the best bits of their self-titled Telescopes LP have been brought into the present, while their musical ethos has matured and opened.
    The music on Stratosfear is quite distinctive, but you’ll find points of reference in work by Air, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and Departure Lounge (whose name, perhaps coincidentally, appears as one of the song titles on the record). This is a finely balanced album, whose notes, noise, and percussion bring hope, energy, mystery, and joy. Oh, and it is real: released by Massachusetts indie label Double Agent, you can buy it at Darla, Futurepopshop, Parasol, Twee Kitten, and at Insound in their 'Annex.'
    The debut full-length by Unisex keeps sounding cooler with repeated listening, offering up an astounding latticework of timbral textures. Four bites out of five.

Rockbites ratings  5: life changing, 4: stunning, 3: captivating, 2: amusing, 1: annoying.

| Unisex on Double Agent Records | | fan site | | The Full Force Of The Sun (RealAudio clip) | | Autopilot (full-length MP3) | | top of page |

back to March 2001 index

today’s stories •

click for Rockbites Home
	Copyright © 1998 - 2001 M. Jason. All Rights Reserved. Rockbites is not for profit and supports human rights. “Rockbites” and “Alternative Daily” are service marks of Rockbites. All names are the property of their respective owners. Send your feedback or questions to feedback@rockbites.com Send your press releases to press@rockbites.com Rockbites Alternative Daily contact information