Minor Blemishes by The Unswept

This is the third album by The Unswept: "The Unswept," and
"The Unswept Today!" That's two. Now..."Minor Blemishes."

This album has some lovely examples of Unswept music.
Many hours and long days and nights of devoted industry went into the production of this album. The Unswept worked hard in their quest to record a power pop classic.

There are few gimmicks or recording tricks, though for effect, The Unswept have slipped in some novelties, like Charlie on the Vox Continental for a vintage feel on "Fake It." Ryan plays tympani on "The Boy Who Wakes You Up" and it's Liz adding a glockenspiel on "She's A Lot Like You."

Beyond this, it is straight 2019 disc making, some of the best of its kind in the power pop genre. There is little or nothing that cannot be reproduced on stage, which is, as students and critics of power pop know, is not always the case.

Here it is then. Their best album yet - quite definitely, says Charlie, Liz and Ryan, with songwriting contributions from all. For those who like to know who does precisely what, there are details alongside each title.

-- George Harris

1. SUNSHINING
Double-tracked Charlie. Sometimes Ryan. Liz joins here and there.
2. THE BOY WHO WAKES YOU UP
Mainly Ryan. Charlie and Liz on the chorus and middle eight.
3. HE’D BE A DIAMOND (Nicholas Saloman)
Ryan and Charlie and Liz.
4. YOU AIN’T ON MY MIND
Liz and Charlie trading verses. Ryan shows up on chorus and middle eight.
5. FAKE IT
Ryan, doubled by Charlie throughout. Hear Liz on the chorus and solo.
6. I’M STILL HERE
Charlie and Liz.
7. BROWN LINE
Ryan and Charlie. Also Liz on the chorus.
8. ABOUT TO BREAK
Ryan sings, with Liz on the chorus and Charlie on middle eight.
9. DON’T DRAG ME DOWN
Ryan and Charlie, with Liz’s backing vocals.
10. IT REALLY DOESN’T MATTER
Charlie, with a Liz harmony.
11. SHE’S A LOT LIKE YOU
Ryan sings, with hints of Charlie and Liz.

The O'Brien cousins all grew up in a council housing project in Sheffield, England, where they played in several bands together.

Following a job opportunity to work for a popular touring group, they now make their home in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago.

“The Unswept’s appealing approach to power pop will delight jangleholics! So much ear candy, so little time!” - Pop Geek Heaven