Product description Mellow 2013 album! Jazz-tinged psych 'n' garage-funk noodling from Ruban Nielson (ex-Mint Chicks) and companions. Includes "Swim & Sleep (Like A Shark)". Review From under a cloud of anonymity and a fug of re-hashed and re-vamped psychedelia emerged Unknown Mortal Orchestra, seemingly from nowhere. Dutifully, critics and blogs thanked their lucky stars that the indie world had regained some intrigue, no matter how fleeting, and heaped plaudits on their eponymous debut album of 2011.Revealing their identity as three boys from Portland, Oregon, led by Kiwi musician and former member of The Mint Chicks Ruban Nielson, was the first step towards the novelty wearing off. Increasingly, Unknown Mortal Orchestra were left with nothing but their tunes to protect them.Weathering that initial burst of hype has inevitably raised expectations for a follow-up album that, by Nielson’s own admission, is not hugely different from the first. If there are discernible musical differences, it’s that there’s a little more clarity and slightly less reliance on the fuzz pedals – except on the wah-gasm of One at a Time, which remains delightfully disgusting.But we are afforded a little more time getting closer to Nielson’s rapidly accelerating guitar prowess, particularly on first single Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark). That track alone is reason enough to buy II, placidly holding back its volume so that the full melodiousness of that guitar can stand proudly at the front.It’s almost enough to make you forget the rather sombre disposition of the lyrics. When Nielson sings about wanting to disappear and “fall to the bottom”, it’s not affecting because of what he’s saying as much as it is because the guitar is a perfect match for it – a sign that his songwriting has become a craft rather than a puzzle.There’s minimal flab elsewhere on II, with echoes of Love at their poppiest and most blues-indebted (especially on the surprisingly indulgent seven-minute boogie-fest Monki) and 13th Floor Elevators at their scratchiest. But thankfully throwbacks aren’t a concern when the songs are as wonderfully complete as they are on this record.Now that everyone knows who they are, and much as they might protest, stepping into the limelight with confidence might not be the worst thing for Unknown Mortal Orchestra right now. --Daniel RossFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off in a new window
S**K
Sublime Summer Album
Bought this because I kept hearing 'From the Sun' and 'Swim & Sleep' on 6Music. What a great buy. Reminiscent of early Beach Boys, early Eliot Smith and other great musicians, this album is beautiful and perfect for late night listening and blasting out on a beach somewhere in the sun. Buy it!
K**D
Very Good Indeed
This is a fabulous album. I would buy it again and I did, but as a present. I later discovered that the receipient of the present already had a copy, but she was happy to have two, which just shows how good it is.
L**Z
Gift for my sis...
This was a present for my sister who kept playing the song 'Swim and Sleep (Like A Shark)' on repeat! I heard the song 'So Good At Being In Trouble', which confirmed that this band were definitely more than just one hit wonders! My sis loves the CD, though I've only heard a handful of songs. Would defo recommend this product. :) Have only given it 4/5 as I've not had the chance to hear the full album yet.
M**N
The soundtrack for the summer.......and it's only February!
Was this going to be the difficult one???.........How about the best you'll hear in 2013.....just sublime. Been waiting patiently but UMO HAVE NAILED THIS ON EVERY LEVEL
D**Y
Four Stars
good
C**D
Five Stars
The best new band i have heard for YEARS. And yes i have been listening for a long time.
M**E
Great
Great
H**U
Good item
Having watched their gigs in China, I feel the inner power in their music, and also the beauty of chorus.
N**N
Unknown Mortal Orchestra.
Chi ama il filone 60s/70s (Pyschedelic/Pop/Rock)con qualche accenno ai “Beatles”, con qualche pizzico di Pyschedelic/Blues a modi Cream, questo è il disco che fa per voi.Disco filtrato col Lo-Fi che rende il tutto molto grezzo e scricchiolante, un disco oscuro che riesce a sfondar le barriere del suono e specialmente quella della luce; disco vivace e oscuro. Un disco che me ne sono innamorato. Super consigliato .
A**R
Five Stars
Love it
サ**き
1曲だけ良かった（主観です）
余り耳に残らないけれど1曲だけ良かった。本当は別のアルバム欲しかったのですが高価な為、こちらを購入。
R**Y
One of the best albums of the year
The sophomore release from UMO is much more of a grower of an album compared to their self-titled debut. While the debut was characterized by in-your-face riffs and melodies, there is more of a diverse, subtle, sprawling soundscape throughout, reaching out to territory the debut didn't touch. It's a soundscape that takes multiple listens to fully delve into, not to say that there aren't those same kind of awesome riffs and melodies we've come to love present here as well. While the debut is still slightly superior, both albums are excellent, and among my favorites, and UMO is definitely one of my favorite bands around. See them live if you can, they're incredible.
M**N
LA NUEVA PSICODELIA
Un nuevo grupo de culto en los ambientes psicodélicos, interesantes y con buenos momentos. No apabullan pero cada audición gana. Disco para presumir de moderno y no quedar mal. Curioso, al menos intentan algo diferente, y lo hacen bien.
Trustpilot
2 days ago
1 month ago
