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Unwritten Law

Oz Factor (1996)
Sony Music Entertainment

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Contributed by: Mark Williams
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on July 29th 2001

A while back, I reviewed Unwritten Law's latest self-titled album. I bashed it hard, calling it "the definition of mediocrity" or something like that. There were a couple people that agreed with me, but most thought I was completely crazy.

Fast forward a bit to about 2 weeks ago. I'm wandering through the cd store looking for something to buy that I've haven't heard yet. I didn't want the new Good Riddance yet cause I just got my "Operation Pheonix" cd back from a friend and was happy with it for the moment, so I decided to wander a little more. I came across "Unwritten Law's "Oz Factor" and decided to give them another chance. A lot of times, a band's older stuff is way better than their new(BR,GD,SW). Such is the case with UL.

This CD was on Epic and produced by Greg Graffin, but it doesn't sound as radio friendly and crystal clear as their new self titled did. There are some really good songs on here.My three favorite are "Suzanne", a very, VERY, catchy song that I would recomend to anyone who would like to get a punk rock girl named Suzanne in the sack, "Denied", an alt-punk song that'll have you on your invisible pogo-stick in no time, and "Rejected", a great melodic speed song with cool lyrics. Other songs like "Differences", "Tell Me Why" and "Oz Factor" are really good as well. Also, I could have sworn I saw them playing the song "Superman" on a show called On Tour a long, long time ago. Who knows, I could have been drunk.

So, this proves one can change his opinion about a band after doing some more research (aka listening). Some of you may like their newer sound better, but I prefer the older Unwritten Law. It's good, So-Cal style punk with a definite Bad Religion influence. I've heard good things about Blue Room" as well, and after getting "Oz Factor", I might just pick that one up too.

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Anonymous (March 1, 2006)

I would recommend this album over their other work as a starting point if you had never heard this band before. It' there best album in my opinion. If you like there more Socal punk songs from this I'd get Blue room next. If you like the rockier, beefed up songs I'd listen to their later stuff but hey thats just one mans opinion

Rock (November 12, 2001)

actually dude i totally agree this album rocks blue room rocks but i like their self titled the best as for blink they suck

Anonymous (November 7, 2001)

i'm probably gonna get shit for this, but I like their S/T better than the two older ones. you all are probably gonna tell me to go listen to my Blink and my NFG, but I'll go put on my Social Distortion instead (and maybe the s/t Unwritten Law.

Anonymous (August 2, 2001)

what?

Anonymous (August 2, 2001)

i thought i told you that we don't stop
i thought i told you that we don't stop
uh huh huh huh

playa fo life!!!

sickboi (August 2, 2001)

I like the "Best Value" sticker on the picture.That's worthy of a 10, Unwritten Law is not.

Anonymous (August 2, 2001)

This is a great CD, I wish UL would play more off it at live shows. Like other people said if you like this CD you will like Blue Room for sure. Oz Factor contains my favorite UL song as well "Rejected."

DrNo (July 31, 2001)

Two words...Blue Room. It's older and it's more of a low-budget cd but, man did they kick ass. If you liked Oz Factor, then get up and find Blue Room.

Anonymous (July 31, 2001)

yah, im really not a fan at all of this bands latest self titled release, but Blue Room is fan-fucking-tastic and so is Oz Factor.

coldjuly (July 31, 2001)

I have been a fan of this band since '95 and they havent let me down yet. All their albums are all very different from each other...but very good in their own way.

juanse (July 31, 2001)

Amazing album, way better than the self-titled.
All 3 Unwritten Law albums rock, that's for sure.