Famine, food and energy shortages, elections, and a stumbling economy are here with a vengeance. But so is Unsound Records to take you into our bosom and tame your wildest fears. Have a gander at what is available here and now: today we release monumental specimens of musical progress. Two Chicago dynamos have poured sweat and love and other juices into brand new albums of soundz for your enjoyment. Bird Names’ Open Relationship (their second Unsound Records joint) and Bronze’s Calypso Shakedown (a debut of utmost force) are now for sale right here.

It was said of the Bird Names’ last record that they “make the fiery furnaces sound like Phil Collins.” Open Relationship takes it further by a leap of genius that leaves the comparison sounding trite and meaningless. This album is rich, unique and unforgettably genuine. It’s their second recording for Unsound Records, formed under the auspices of the great Blue Hawaii (Icy Demons) at Chicago’s Shape Shoppe.

TimeOut Chicago says of Bronze that they’re “some of the best indie-rockers in town.” Without having ever officially released a record they are already legendary in their hometown. The Chicago Tribune calls the band “big indie-rock talent.” Calypso Shakedown is an album of passion and power, and like the Bird Names release, it stands out as a powerful body of work on it’s own ground. We encourage you to listen and see for yourself. The multi-function CD comes with two music videos embedded into it -produced by the illustrious TJ Hellmuth - that can be viewed on a computer.

We are so happy to be able to provide the world with the music of both of these albums, and we hope you get a chance to enjoy them in your lifetime. They can be obtained right here in our store, or (in the next few weeks) at various digital retailers including iTunes. You can also support your local brick-and-mortar record store by asking for your favorite Unsound Records titles there. For those stores that don’t yet have the titles you’d like, be sure to ask them to order from us through Burnside Distribution in Portland. Thanks and enjoy!

The sweet but dangerous Hanner will be busting out a wild spoon of tunes new and old this Friday at The Funky Church in Portland. The show starts at 8:00, but come early and stay late. Who wants to be out in the rain anyhow, on a February Friday in Oregon? We won't be surprised if you decide to take a last-minute flight to the great Northwest from wherever you are to see her. We can't vouch for the weather here at this time of year, but we can guarantee a great show. Isn't that what matters, after all? Don't forget to pick up your copy of Hanner's No Guts, No Gravy right on this here website, on iTunes, or at your local record shop.

The infamous Shape Shoppe of Chicago has been a powerful force in the development of this here record label. Much of the music you find in the annals (ahem) of Unsound Records was imagined, produced, created, and recorded here. Bird Names, Bronze, and The Diminisher have all come under Shape Shoppe's benevolent shepherding as they progressed through the years.

Now Shape Shoppe is in the process of renovating, tearing down the old, preparing to create new avenues of adventure down which to send unsuspecting listeners. To help them on their mission, a benefit is being thrown for them on January 18, 2008 at Hideout in their land of Chicago. Our very own Bird Names and Bronze will perform along with Michael Columbia and The Killer Whales. Be there or be square.

Greets, ladies and germs. Notice goes out today that David Lineal (one of the master minds behind the excellent Bird Names) will be touring the midwest as a solo-mode character of hard ideals and soft edges, singing Bird Names tunes and beyond for your enjoyment and ergonomic relief. We're not up-to-date on all the date data, so we'll be updating this list as that comes in.

• Bird Names
• Monday, Sept. 3 @ 9pm
• Empty Bottle, Chicago
• Free

AAHAAAA! It's time for the Bird Names' official release party for Wooden Lake / Sexual Diner. The show is absolutely free, as might your minds be afterwards.

There's a Bird Names buzz about Chicago, as many places have written them up in intriguing terms. The Daily Herald proclaims, "The Bird Names will satisfy your inner freak ... this band makes the Fiery Furnaces sound like Phil Collins." Miles Raymer at Chicago Reader calls Wooden Lake / Sexual Diner "undomesticated, raucous, urgent, and alien." Gaper's Block says the sound of the record is "simple and direct and unabashedly celebratory -- so much so that one might suspect it of being deceptive, but it isn't."

If you're in the Chicagoland area, succumb to the hype, slip on your dancing shoes and head out to the Empty Bottle on Monday, September 3rd at 9:00pm. If you're not in or around Chicago, click on over to Orbitz or Priceline or whatever you use and get yourself a plane ticket out here! If you can't afford that, get a bus ticket. Better yet, pump up your bicycle tires, lube up the chain and check your brakes. Grab a handful of jerky on your way out the door, drink plenty of water and sweat your way on down to the inaugural wild rumpus of this Bird Names / Unsound Records marriage.