As bands grow and change over the course of time, we can discover so much about them. Observing the development of a band is truly a rewarding feeling, as you watch them mature with every album that they make. A willingness to evolve and experiment can do so much for a band, as they can unlock new elements of their sound to use. Taking a style in a different avenue displays the multitude of paths that bands can take, and the innate creativity of music leaves room for some surprises. A band can entertain and shock their audiences by changing their sound dramatically, and Unwound exhibits this beautifully with 'Leaves Turn Inside You'.
'Leaves Turn Inside You' demonstrated a significant adjustment in Unwound's style when it came out in 2001. Forming in 1991, Unwound played a rugged and incredibly raucous brand of post-hardcore. Unwound's previous efforts were loud and abrasive, but 'Leaves Turn Inside You' shows a different side to the band. Trading noise for sophistication, 'Leaves Turn Inside You' sees Unwound excising the rough elements of their earlier work. Sleek songs are featured in the album, and 'Leaves Turn Inside You' is far more polished than Unwond's past endeavors. Unusual time signatures and refined arrangements are combined with instruments such as mellotrons and violins, and ambition bursts through the seams of the album. 'Leaves Turn Inside You' paints an unusually cultured version of punk rock, and its experimentation stresses what Unwound was capable of.
'Leaves Turn Inside You' has outstanding guitar work, as well. Eschewing the ragged chords and loud riffs of Unwound's preceding albums, the guitars on 'Leaves Turn Inside You' opt for subtlety. Unwound uses the instrument to express mystery, as secretive tones emanate with a troubling grace to them. Touches of dissonance add a creepy aura to the album, and the guitars effectively mix melody with dread. Turning the instrument into a vehicle of distress, 'Leaves Turn Inside You' shows the eeriness that can come from the guitar.
Unwound also adds an aura of creepiness to their sound. So much of the album sounds like a disturbing cave that's full of unsettling sights, and imagery of isolation and suspicion appear in the music. 'Leaves Turn Inside You' makes the listener feel uncomfortable with its spacious sound, and its uneasiness is capable of dismaying even the coldest of hearts. 'Leaves Turn Inside You' is akin to a uninvited presence that isn't welcome in your home, and its chilling mood will linger for days to come. 'Leaves Turn Inside You' can arise dark feelings in everyone, and it becomes a jarringly uncomfortable experience.
Overall, Leaves Turn Inside You is a huge achievement for Unwound. Unwound expands their style significantly, removing the dissonance of earlier efforts for a mature and highly ingenious sound. The guitar work is phenomenal, as spotless tones are used to imbue a mysterious and sinister sound to the album. Unwound also takes their audiences to unnerving places, as 'Leaves Turn Inside You' is a solemn adventure that inspires fright and apprehension. 'Leaves Turn Inside You' is a fantastic album, and it exemplifies the immense promise of Unwound's style.
