Playlouder - Music is the Network

Of all the inoffensive ingredients to Unbunny, Jarid del Deo’s voice is probably the only potential stumbling block. I’d not go as far as to say it’s a case of ‘love it or hate it’, but certainly for those who eschew the Neil Youngs and Wayne Coynes of the world, it’ll be a tough nut to crack. Personally, I'd argue that the American-tinged, high-pitched yet world-weary vocals provide the ideal lead to these soft-rock / country compositions.

The term ‘inoffensive’ need not be indicative of M.O.R., either, while we're at it; in terms of musical territory we’re probably somewhere in-between the two fields led by the aforementioned men as well; Unbunny are one part country/rock stalwart sound-alike and one part modern indie /new weird America, (or some similar nonsensical term). You get the picture; expect comparisons and likenesses to Jeff Tweedy as much as Jay Farrar, though the exact balance of sounds is not directly comparable to either.

Opener ‘Casserole’ (a video for which can be seen below) is a lilting portrait of middle America set to countrified electric guitars and clattering lazy rhythms. The album continues on much the same theme – embellishing the insider/outsider position taken by our narrator for the purpose of relaying his curious flash-fictions: a sort of journey through the day-to-day via the oft-explored but (here, at least) well-executed theme of heartbreak.

While it’s true enough that Unbunny are no musical anomaly, Jarid del Deo & co. are a strong musical personality and one whose world is well worth a visit at the very least. To maintain such a soft tone for the duration without slipping into repetitiveness is no mean feat.

From what I gather, this ‘Snow Tires’ is a re-release and was originally out in 2004, but given the distinct lack of external sources cataloguing this or any other information about the band (bear in mind they’ve been knocking about for a good number of years), it’s safe to say it’s a worthwhile project, inasmuch as it’s a worthwhile purchase.

Thanks to German label Affairs of the Heart, this record will gain the exposure it has so long wanted via a European release. Heaven knows how many fine releases similarly slip by? It’s to the label’s credit that they’ve stopped to take note of this record; it’s tranquil yet troubling, a ride at once smooth and rocky – sort of like a toboggan ride on a frozen lake – it’s a delicate record, but impossible to dismiss. My only complaint is that with the dying strains of ‘X’, it’s all over a little quickly!