I was first drawn to Unfinished Thought around 2003 after a friend suggested the band’s debut album. Several of the band’s tracks were even played in between sets during Evanescence’s 2003 Nintendo Fusion tour. Thanks to the magic of the internet, I was able to reach out to the band directly and formed a sort of friendship with them through the release of their Illuminati EP.
Where did Unfinished Thought go? After two self-released full length albums and an EP, the band seems to have just disappeared. Below is what I was able to piece together from various mentions across the web.
The band’s website went dark earlier this year, but Amazon and Ebay still have copies of their albums, and can be found on Spotify. The EP was released digital only.
Becoming Aware is the debut album from ethereal rock duo Unfinished Thought. Driven by delicate vocal harmonies and compulsive guitar playing, the album creates a layered atmosphere that is both fragile and haunting. Becoming Aware delivers deceptively beautiful musical textures while exploring themes such as mental illness, obsession, addiction, and depression. This is an album that combines introspective ideas with dark rock elements to create a unique and interesting piece of music.
“Imagine if William Orbit and Trent Reznor produced the Cure albums of the late 80’s. Add in female vocals and maybe the picture is a little more complete.
Kiser is happy to use keyboard washes of all sorts: some warm, some harsh and some almost indescribably beautiful. He refuses to follow the book, and so the sounds here are fresh and unexpected.
Kiser and Nelson have put together an album of uncommon beauty and power. If you want to know where electronic music is going, this disc might give you a clue.”
-Jon Worley, Aiding & Abetting
Following up on the unexpected independent success of their 2002 debut album, Becoming Aware, dark rock innovators Unfinished Thought have returned with an album that solidifies the duo’s status as one of independent music’s most original and creative forces. Their brand new release, Based On Actual Events, is a genre defying collection of songs that spotlights the unparalleled precision and forceful elegance that defines Unfinished Thought’s decidedly unique sound. “Uniqueness has been a blessing and a curse for us” explains producer/multi-instrumentalist Joe Kiser. “Every band wants to say that they sound like nothing you’ve ever heard before. Obviously comparisons can be drawn between any two given sounds, but our music tends to drift freely between multiple genres. I think we have more of the ‘nothing you’ve ever heard before’ element than most bands that have surfaced in the past several years.”
Combining the more abrasive elements of dark wave, industrial, electonica, metal and goth with the more melodic components of etherealism, ambient, dark rock, and even pop music, Unfinished Thought have crafted a sound all their own. “Our audience tends to find their way to us through the darker channels like goth and industrial, but quickly realize that we have a lot more going on than most bands in those genres” continues Kiser.
Released in April of 2004, Based On Actual Events shows an acoustic maturity and unexpected evolution for Unfinished Thought. With concise, intelligent song arrangements and a concept album feel, the new release from Unfinished Thought highlights the strengths of the previous album while introducing the depths to which this duo is unafraid to explore. A brand new DVD was also released in April 2004 containing a unique and stirring video for the new song “Umbrella”.
With two albums on record and a steadily growing fan base to support them, Unfinished Thought now turn their focus to the live stage. Rehearsals have begun for shows slated to begin in Fall 2004. As the buzz surrounding this duo continues to grow daily, Unfinished Thought are proud to look back on their past successes and look forward to propelling themselves further into the forefront of modern independent music.
Dark rock innovators Unfinished Thought bring you a story…
…of never ending sleep
…of forever deepening concern
…of unavoidable consequence
A story that cleverly shifts back and forth through time revealing the tragic details that have led to the mysterious disappearance of an unforgettable individual. The Timid is a lonely recluse unsuccessfully managing his own mental instability and deepening depression. When a series of seemingly random events bring him face to face with the chance to take his own life or start anew in a memoryless world, he must decide his final destination before fate chooses for him. Based On Actual Events chronicles the last days of The Timid’s life as he battles unimaginable coincidence, cruel circumstance, accidental insanity, hopeless insignificance and the frightening vulnerability that is naturally created by the presence of human thought.
Following up on the unexpected independent success of their 2002 debut album, Becoming Aware, dark rock perfectionists Unfinished Thought have returned with an album that solidifies the duo’s status as one of independent music’s most original and creative forces. Based On Actual Events is a genre defying collection of songs that spotlights the unparalleled precision and forceful elegance that defines Unfinished Thought’s decidedly unique sound.
Stacey Nelson’s magnetic voice demands unconditional emotional attention while at the same time stealing hope from any thought that once resembled a happy ending. From a soft whisper to a soaring three part harmony, her vocal talents glide each song to completely perfect dimensions. Unfinished Thought’s unconventional song structure lends itself well to the compelling lyrics that carefully decorate each track on this dark, schizophrenic album. At times seeming to barely be able to manage their own perceived randomness and at other times in complete understanding of the premeditated confusion that created them, the lyrics fall delicately into a soundscape of threatening synthesizers and razor sharp bass lines. These elements combine with crashing walls of distorted guitars and multiple layers of intricate rhythm to produce a sound that breathes freshness into the state of modern independent music.
Based On Actual Events is a progressively precise turning point for the unconventional mind that can’t quite come in from the rain. It’s thoughtful. It’s careful. It calculated, unique. It’s about being lonely. It’s about passing time. It’s about the reasons you’re still thinking through. It’s a shade from every angle and it’s all coming true.
