Pop Unknown presents textures and tones on If Arsenic Fails, Try Algebra that will make you go weak at the knees. Everything fits so well, it's more than you hoped for. "One of the best records to come out in a very long time, for any label" says Rocket Fuel. Immaculately constructed pop songs with tranquilizing melodies and chiming guitars lines. A power-chord workout with a driving rhythm section that conveys passion and reminds us how good it feels to sing along. Dreamo. (DER-382)

"Pop Unknown breathes life into their music with an unrelentless pursuit of emotion and care into the songs that they create. "If Arsenic Fails..." is the documentary. The band gave a sample of their talents with the 1999 EP "Summer Season Kills," and five songs was all it took to get hooked into their beautiful melodies and solid noisy guitar constructions, creating a comfortable balance. With "If Arsenic Fails...," the band takes eleven songs to dig deeper into expressionism and pull out a collection of intimate tunes. The lyrics melt in the air, allowing anyone to walk away with something meaningful. Lasater takes elements of Paul Westerberg's Replacements days minus the Reaganism, the feeling of My Bloody Valentine or The Church and the most important aspect - experience - and creates a sincerity not heard in many pop-rock bands. The words take you inside his mind and lets you experience love's conflicts, introspection and life itself. Pop Unknown plays '80s-style pop in a '90s post-hardcore world. The band is most dominant playing delicate lullabies. "An Offering," conveys this with Casper Eckol's bass keeping the song moving forward. The bottom drops out and leaves you weightless. "Lonely Here With Me" is equally as sobering. The band makes a final note with the ending instrumental "Forward=Rewind," a soft farewell that leaves you one step closer and one step farther from the truth. There is a lot to take in, and the best way to experience this album is to dim the lights, relax and listen." - Consumable

"Beautiful, just beautiful. I had high expectations of 'If Arsenic Fails, Try Algebra" and halfway through the first listen everything about this record just seemed perfect. Eleven tracks of spellbinding pop music from POP UNKNOWN. Pop music that is layered with warm guitars, rolling basslines and solid drumming. Those elements of rock from their first record can still be heard shining through these songs. Since then an extra guitarist has been added and the blend of three guitars in music like this makes it at times fascinating, as they manage to create incredible depth and energy in their music without resonating to either power or speed to create it. I could listen to tracks like 'Hanging on a Thread,' 'Half of Ninety' and 'Lonely Here With Me' over and over again, such is their passion and beauty. If you enjoyed POP UNKNOWN's 'Summer Season Kills' EP, make it your mission to pick this one up. An excellent and timeless record." - Fracture

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