Though you won't mistake either band's side of this split for the other's, the two acts are similar -- each could pass for lost '90s underground rock groups that sit comfortably beside a number of today's "it" bands. It's the nü indie 2k, with a better record collection and a little more fuzz, flannel and facial hair.
Man in Gray's contributions make the stronger impression. Both "Thirty-Six" and "Hoboken" open with rusted-nail guitar upstrokes and stabbing contrapuntal bass; shouted male/female vocals accompany, and by then our DFA-inundated ears are thinking dance punk, right? Not quite. "Thirty-Six" erupts into riotous psychedelic swirl -- think The Grifters playing Hawkwind -- and absolutely destroys, and "Hoboken" shifts into a racing chorus reminiscent of Prolapse. Both songs hold up well on repeated listens and justify the record's existence on their own.
Unsacred Hearts haven't yet developed into quite the force that Man in Grey have, but the first of their songs, "Do You Like Spy Movies", warrants a listen or two. Hoarse, nasal vocals soar over a polished (in the best of ways) rhythm section and singeing Archers of Loaf guitars. The central lyric, "Do you like spy movies? / I think they're groovy / I wanna watch a spy move with you" is a bit of a dud, but otherwise it's an engaging melodic rock song. "The End Is Near", a Pixies-esque speak/scream narrative, is a bit of a throwaway, but it's no biggie -- both bands have wreaked considerable rock 'n' roll havoc before the needle reaches it.
