Unwritten Law 'Millennium Collection - 20th Century Masters' album

Of the numerous young, punk-influenced combos to have achieved national prominence around the turn of the 21st century, Unwritten Law is one of the most durable and musically flexible—and one of the most popular. In the time since the quintet first emerged from the Southern California skate-punk scene, Unwritten Law has risen from D.I.Y. success to mainstream stardom. Over the years, their music has continued to change and evolve, while maintaining the band's original emphasis on catchy tunes and high-energy performances.

Unwritten Law first came together at the dawn of the 1990s in the small city of Poway, in northern San Diego County. Following a series of personnel changes, the group settled on the lineup of singer Scott Russo, guitarists Rob Brewer and Steve Morris, bassist John Bell and drummer Wade Youman.

In 1994, Unwritten Law released its indie debut album Blue Room, named after the blue-painted walls in the abandoned house where Russo was squatting when he joined the band. The fivesome supported the album with a series of low-budget D.I.Y. tours that helped to build a loyal national fan base. But the limitations of independent distribution led Unwritten Law to sign with Epic Records, which reissued Blue Room and released the group's 1996 sophomore effort Oz Factor.

In 1998, Unwritten Law moved to Interscope Records and released its eponymous third album. By then, ex-Sprung Monkey member Pat Kim had replaced John Bell on bass. Unwritten Law found the band toughening up its sound, adding a harder instrumental edge as well as some surprisingly thoughtful lyrics that balanced the more lighthearted concerns of their prior material. The album spawned a popular single in the introspective love song "Cailin."

Unwritten Law's 2002 release Elva was a breakthrough, both musically and commercially. The album further refined the band's sound, via punchier production and a decreased reliance on their familiar retro-punk style. The new approach added sonic weight to such memorable tunes as "Mean Girl," "Up All Night," "Geronimo" and the reggae-inflected "How You Feel." The catchy, midtempo "Seein' Red" became a hit on Modern Rock radio in the U.S. Meanwhile in Australia, Elva became the top-selling rock album of 2003.

Following Elva, Unwritten Law changed labels again, this time moving to Lava Records. They then surprised their fans by releasing the largely acoustic Music In High Places, recorded at Yellowstone National Park as part of MTV's outdoor adventure series of the same name. That project demonstrated Unwritten Law's ongoing willingness to challenge their fans' expectations—a quality that bodes well for the band's musical future.

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Unwritten Law - Millennium Collection - 20th Century Masters