Records of the Week

[Noise Order Recordings / Unlearn on MySpace]

Shimmering like raindrops on flower petals, the debut record by the Seattle five-piece Unlearn really makes one yearn for spring showers. The irredescent guitar tones cascade in full force, whether they’re ebullient with ambient beauty or pulsing with ferocious intensity. Their familiar sound is comforting but in no way trite; its quiet strength gives the album its signature voice. Kind of post-rock, kind of slowcore, and definitely epic, Unlearn are a band to watch in 2009. Hearing debut albums with such promise like this are what keeps the epic instrumental communtiy going strong and constantly inviting of new artists to try their hand at the trade that has maybe never been a monetarily sound venture, but always keeps heads turning and hearts aching. Emo? Quite. But so true. Get emo with the gorgeous soundscapes of Unlearn on the nowlikephotographs podcast.