Categories
ESSENTIAL NEW MUSIC

Essential New Music: UNKLE’s “The Road Part 1”

The Road Part 1, by James Lavelle’s enduring collective UNKLE, is one intense work of art. Sonically, visually and thematically, this double disc is grandiloquent, like the great progressive-music statements of rock history. While Lavelle has manned the helm of UNKLE for 25 years, he enjoys a lot of quality collaborators and supporting musicians. The assist list here includes Mark Lanegan and members of Queens Of The Stone Age and Primal Scream.

In the recorded realm of rock électronique, this is one of the best releases of the year. Ghostly, dramatic, moody and compelling, this “road” is an embryonic journey well worth taking. Elliott Power’s spoken narration is exquisite, Lanegan’s bruised cameo on “Looking For The Rain” beautifully rendered and ESKA’s insistent performance on the title track commands attention and submission. You should probably just listen to it all from beginning to end, like God intended.

Mitch Myers