The Unicorns Album: “The Unicorns 2014 [EP]”

"Unicorns 2014" serves as a good companion to "Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone" -- pretty, burbly pop with a sort of bright futuristic edge. The EP is not their best work, since a few of the four tracks aren't quite as good as they could have been, but it's a pleasant short listen.

It opens with the rippling, bursting-at-the-seams pop "The Unicorns: 2014," with its bubbling keyboard and fuzzy edges. It's followed up by the folkier "Emasculate The Masculine," delicate ballad "Evacuate The Vacuous (Outtake)," and finally "The Unicorns: 2014 (Demo Version)," which is rock-ier than the final product.

Don't expect anything as sugary as the cover suggests. Or the name, for that matter -- with a band called "the Unicorns," one expects pop music sugary enough to cause diabetes. Fortunately it's not -- it sounds like the upbeat little cousin of Of Montreal and the Flaming Lips, with its bright tunes and offbeat instrumentation.

The burbly electronics in the opening song won me over -- they're cute, but just rough and weird enough to avoid being cutesy. The demo is acceptable, but it pales in comparison to the final result -- it's uneven, and the vocals sound a bit out of control. "Emasculate the Masculine" and "Evacuate The Vacuous" take a softer twist, but don't lose the eerie edge of the music. The vocals are also pretty good, especially in the balladic numbers.

Despite a lackluster demo, the EP "Unicorns 2014" is a pleasant accompaniment to their debut album. Charming and fun, but avoids ever being cutesy.

I bought this to replace a scratched copy I currently had... this one was COVERED in scratches. They didn't even look like they were from normal wear.

The Unicorns are amazing. If you're getting a little tired of your music collection and want something interesting, with clever lyrics, a good beat, and great personality, check these guys out.

I think the 2014 EP is better than their full length. All the songs are good, but "Emasculate The Masculine" is probably the best. If you like them then give The Postal Service or At The Drive-In a spin.