Albums by this artist

Unleashed (1997)

Ten Foot Pole

Unleashed

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» DAVID THOMAS | STAFF WRITER

Ten Foot Pole Unleashed Epitaph, 1997 RiYL: Down By Law, Offspring, NOFX, Face To Face

Ten Foot Pole's 1997 release Unleashed is a vast improvement over the band's first foray into the mainstream punk realm.

The appropriately-titled album is cleaner and more polished than the band's past work, featuring massive guitars and strangely muted drums. Jagard replaces former frontman Scott Radinsky, who left to sing for the punk all-star group Pulley. The new instrumentation and Jagard's more well-suited vocals evolve the band's sound past the independent flavor of 1994's Rev.

"John'' captures the listener with imagery-laden lyrics not often associated with punk music, the song's central theme revolves around a friend's suicide. Jagard also shines as a songwriter on the straightforward punk of "Too Late'' and the Phish-like "Hey Pete."

The band has finally come up with some originality after making subpar studio albums. A listen to Unleashed is so striking, it almost sounds as if a different group has stolen the moniker of Ten Foot Pole and is promptly making better music.

But I hope not.

DAVID THOMAS |