Album Review: Parts Unknown by Mechanical Hall A
Alright, so let’s talk about Parts Unknown by Mechanical Hall A. Released back in 2013 under the Not On Label banner, this rock album is one of those hidden gems that kinda sneaks up on you when you least expect it. It’s not perfect—like, who even wants perfection anyway? But there’s something raw and real about it that sticks.
First off, the tracklist: “Go Away,” “Go Away (Radio Edit),” “Wonderful One,” “Chelsea,” “Despite Intentions,” and “Providence.” Honestly, I didn’t think much of it at first glance. Just another indie-rock project trying to make waves without drowning in obscurity, right? Wrong. Well… sorta wrong.
The song “Go Away” really smacked me over the head. Like, wow. The original version has this gritty edge—you can almost hear the frustration dripping off every chord. It’s catchy but not in a sugary way; more like how anger feels satisfying sometimes. Then they throw in the radio edit, which smooths out some rough edges but loses a bit of charm. Still good though! You know how people say less is more? Yeah, nah, don’t listen to them here. The rawness of the original wins hands down.
Another standout for me was “Chelsea.” This one hits different because it’s slower, moodier, almost dreamy compared to the punchy vibe of “Go Away.” There’s this haunting guitar riff running through it that just lingers in your brain long after the song ends. And the vocals? Dude, whoever sang this sounds like they’ve been through some stuff. Feels personal, y’know? Like eavesdropping on someone else’s diary entry or whatever.
Now onto the rest of the tracks—they’re solid enough, nothing groundbreaking but still enjoyable if you dig no-frills rock music. “Wonderful One” tries to bring energy back into the mix, while “Despite Intentions” leans heavier into introspective lyrics. “Providence” closes things out with a nice little bow—not too flashy, but it ties everything together alright.
Here’s the thing about Parts Unknown: it’s not gonna blow up playlists worldwide or anything. But it doesn’t need to. Sometimes albums like this remind us why we fell in love with rock music in the first place—it’s messy, heartfelt, and unapologetically human.
Oh, random thought before I go: does anyone else think the band name sounds like a steampunk factory? No? Just me? Cool. Anyway, give this album a spin if you’re tired of overly polished tunes and wanna hear something with actual soul. Trust me, it grows on ya.
