Islands: The Unicorns Really are Dead

Ah negativity. Its rough, but it is the only response possible when something unique and delightful becomes something bland and irritating. Case in point:


The Unicorns, made up of Nick Thorburn (no, I will NOT call you Nick Diamonds, you twit), Alden Ginger and Jamie Thompson, released the entirely wonderful, weird, singable, danceable, creepy, nerdy and morbid Who Will Cut our Hair When We're Gone? in 2003.

(audio of "Tuff Luff" from The Unicorns)

I didn't just love this album- I was borderline evangelical about it. Almost anyone riding in my car in the summer of 2004 was subjected not only to listening to the CD, but also listening to me explaining what I liked about each track. (Yeah, I know. I'm a work in progress.)

In 2005 The Unicorns broke up. In 2006 Thorburn and Thompson formed Islands. Also in 2006, Thompson left Islands.

Islands performed at the Masquerade in Atlanta and while the music was well played with a rich, layered sound and featured an interesting mix of violins (2), keyboard, synth, bass, guitar and drums, Thorburn turns out to be an incredibly irritating kid to watch live.

(Islands at the Masquerade)

The best thing about Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? was the weird humor of the whole album. Arm's Way, recently released from Islands is a decent listen, but the sounds lacks all the playful irony of the former band and Thorburn's awkward and completely earnest attempts at convincing his audience of his "indie" rock star cool almost ruined what was an otherwise enjoyable, if unremarkable show.