What makes Fake Train by Unwound notable?

Fake Train garnered critical acclaim and helped establish Unwound as a key player in the underground music scene. The album's avant-garde approach influenced many subsequent artists within the post-rock and noise rock genres, making it a significant touchstone for fans and musicians alike. Released in 1993, Fake Train is Unwound's second album, following their debut, New Plastic Ideas. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their identity within the burgeoning post-hardcore scene, experimenting with more complex structures while retaining a fierce punk ethos.

How many songs are on Fake Train?

Fake Train has 10 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Fake Train

Unwound · 1993

45 min · 10 tracks · punk rock

A chaotic blend of dissonant melodies and aggressive rhythms that captures the raw energy of early '90s punk rock.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Nervous Energy — This track exemplifies the band's ability to intertwine anxious rhythms with captivating melodies, showcasing their unique sound and lyrical intensity.
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Valentine Card / Kantina / Were, Are and Was or Is — Its sprawling length and dynamic shifts highlight Unwound's experimental side, blending various styles and moods into a cohesive musical journey.
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Star Spangled Hell — The song's driving energy and biting lyrics reflect the band's critique of American culture, making it a standout example of their politically charged songwriting.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

55 /100

Foothills

Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

Fake Train's chaotic energy and abstract lyrics define its distinct sound within punk rock.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track that features dissonant guitar riffs and rapid drumming, setting an aggressive tone.
The lyrics are often abstract and fragmented, matching the chaotic instrumentation and enhancing the overall intensity of the record.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Dragnalus 3:29
2 Lucky Acid 1:43
3 Nervous Energy 4:50
4 Valentine Card / Kantina / Were, Are and Was or Is 13:58
5 Honourosis 4:45
6 Pure Pain Sugar 2:35
7 Gravity Slips 1:44
8 Star Spangled Hell 3:52
9 Ratbite 2:44
10 Feeling$ Real 5:15

What to play next

Listen next

New Plastic Ideas

1994

Full Unwound discography Artists like Unwound

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata