One of the tightest, most powerful and interesting bands to come out of the ‘80s was called the Unforgiven. Projecting a beyond aggressively gritty Civil War-era western persona, this musical experiment could have paid off in spades had label and personnel problems not doomed the band to a single album.
From John Boylan’s thundering production to the band’s lyrical power, the album is so worth a listen. While the music is compelling, as always, it’s the lyrics that made this album one that I would take to that proverbial desert island. Almost thirty years later, I always turn it up when an Unforgiven track shuffles to the front of my iPod. And that’s the sign of a great album.
The magnet is that, while the songs are universally sad (about, as one lyric goes, ”life and death and horses and war”), they are just as universally about the power of duty and the optimism of the human spirit (“I hear the call and I will answer it”).
Indeed, on those rare days that I need a shot of adrenalin, I go to the Unforgiven for that “pump me up” fix.
Check ‘em out. The album has finally been re-released on Almacantar Records.
For a taste, try these video captures:
“All is Quiet on the Western Front” Live at Farm Aid.
“I Hear the Call” (their lone video...get past how cheesy it is and focus on the lyric).
Yeah, I’m a sucker for great lyrics...but the music will rock you. Enjoy the discovery.
we supplied the horses and taught john and the rest of the band to ride horses to make the video my dad is one of the cowboys walking up to the fire
Posted by: hughie smith | September 16, 2012 at 18:46
Cool...too bad it was such a short cameo!
Posted by: Bill Geist | September 16, 2012 at 19:51