The Madness of Romantic Desire in Unrest’s Perfect Teeth

Driving Themes of Desire

In both jangle-punk rippers and drum-free ballads, Unrest’s Perfect Teeth channels the intensity of romantic longing. The track “Angel I’ll Walk You Home” exudes a swooning, starry-eyed sentiment, with its titular phrase echoed like a mantra throughout. In contrast, “So Sick” vividly portrays the dizzying spiral of unrequited love, circling around basic desires until the singer’s own grammar falters, revealing his emotional turmoil: “All I want to do / Is staying up with you.” The ultimate confession lands with weight as he declares he would die for his unnamed crush. Unrest’s approach to love songs reflects a sense of earnestness intertwined with a touch of the jaded, presenting the perspective of perpetual adolescence.

Intimacy and Youthful Lust

Among the tracks, “Six Layer Cake” stands out as Robinson describes intimacy with a mischievous edge, where physical boundaries seem to blur—“no hands where they ought to be.” Yet, perhaps the most enduring love song from the album is “Make Out Club.” It begins with a tender simplicity as Robinson softly sings, “You were… the very first one,” before erupting into the band’s signature feverish guitar riffs. The song captures youthful desire without crossing into lasciviousness, depicting “making out all over me” as a form of sublime intimacy.

The Legacy of Make Out Club

Years after the release of Perfect Teeth, the song “Make Out Club” inspired one fan to create a secret society. In 1999, Gibby Miller, who later founded Dais Records, launched a social network for “indierockers, hardcore kids, record collectors, artists, bloggers, and hopeless romantics.” Users could create profiles categorized as “Boys” or “Girls,” and add each other to “crush-lists.” Miller named the site makeoutclub.com, a nod to the song that encapsulated the yearning for reciprocated desires among individuals sharing similar tastes.

Manifesting Uncool Desires

Through Perfect Teeth, Unrest articulates the often uncool desires lurking beneath the surface of rock music’s jaded exterior. The band suggests that even the most cynical scenesters harbor a longing to belong to the Make Out Club. Robinson and his bandmates showcased their chameleonic nature while remaining deeply rooted in their influences. Their nights spent cataloging musical references culminated in the creation of an album that transcended those influences, culminating in a unique blend that embraced elements of twee, funk, hardcore, and jazz, all reimagined within the context of their humble, homespun aesthetic.

Conclusion

Unrest’s Perfect Teeth remains a poignant exploration of youthful desire, intimacy, and the complexities of unreciprocated love. Through its layered instrumentation and sincere lyricism, the album captures the essence of longing and the universal yearning for connection, proving that even in a seemingly jaded world, the desires we harbor are anything but uncool.

FAQs

What genre is Unrest’s album Perfect Teeth?

Perfect Teeth blends jangle-pop, punk, and indie rock elements, offering a unique sound that resonates with themes of romantic desire.

Who inspired the Make Out Club social network?

The social network was inspired by the song “Make Out Club” from Unrest’s Perfect Teeth album, symbolizing the shared longing for connection among individuals with similar interests.

What themes are explored in the song “So Sick”?

“So Sick” delves into the chaos of unrequited love, illustrating the emotional turmoil and desires experienced in such situations.

How did Unrest’s music reflect their generation?

Unrest’s music captures the essence of perpetual adolescence, portraying a mix of sincerity, longing, and the complexities of youthful relationships, resonating with listeners navigating similar experiences.