Unsane
Scattered, Smothered & Covered

THE REVIEW

It would be too easy to label them as a noise group. They are often thought of as the inventors of noise rock, and with no offense to Helmet, this is an assertion that is, in some ways, accurate. However, over the years, Unsane have managed to spread a much deeper message than what was initially attributed to them. With a completely natural approach to their compositions, they have always and continually stood out from any other group, album after album, often demonstrating an enviable class in their ability to manipulate noise music. A class that stems from a devoted love for AC/DC and Black Sabbath, and for all the great '80s rock, which was the fundamental base upon which to build "noise," or rather the typical Unsane riffing.

And, before serious problems started occurring within the group (such as the 2000 breakup due to the pressure of 200 dates a year, and the consequent reunion), "Scattered, Smothered & Covered" was released in the height of their brilliance. 1995: in the mid-'90s noise was taking stable form. Thus, this little jewel made it clear once and for all who Unsane were and where they wanted to go. Extremely heavy, almost suffocating guitars. A jagged and derailing bass. A filtered and psychotic voice. A dry and nervous drum. As demonstrated right from the start with "Scrape": killer riffs, often slow and disturbing, are accompanied by a typical "rock style" approach, which in its progression raises a sonic dust cloud that can have only two effects: you can either suffocate in it, or you can enjoy it like crazy amid all that "noise." In my case, the second hypothesis.

Calm and carefree tracks alternate with others that require a straitjacket, or still others so slow and suffocating they almost seem to refer to Darkthrone in a noise sauce. For anyone who wants to get to know this wonderful musical genre, or approach Unsane for the first time, I highly recommend this album. Of course, I recommend it to everyone else too. In any case, devastating.