17/11/23
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Unknown Mortal Orchestra came to life in basements and bedrooms, the musical vision of Portlander-via-New Zealand Ruban Nielson that fused guitar-god riffs, choppy percussion, soul and funk. II, the sophomore album from UMO, emerged in an era rampant hedonism and isolationism and became the blueprint for everything Nielson has become renowned for. It was, and is, the solidification of Unknown Mortal Orchestra as an endlessly intriguing, brave and addictive band. Ten years on, it’s back with an expanded edition.
Written during a punishing, debauched touring schedule during which Nielson feared for both his sanity and health, II illustrates the emotional turmoil of life on the road, painting surrealist, cartoonish portraits of loneliness, love and despair. These conflicting themes are evident immediately; on the album’s sleeve is an unnerving image of Janet Farrar, the famous British witch, Wiccan, author and teacher of witchcraft. The chilling refrain of opener “Into The Sun” sees Nielson deliver the line “Isolation can put a gun in your hand,” softly, his words starkly intelligible above a warm, slow-burning melody that quickly brands itself onto your brain. His playful imagery (“I’m so lonely I’ve gotta eat my popcorn all alone”) mirrors the melody, before a solo that borders on psychotropic ends II‘s introduction. UMO is unafraid to dig deeper than the rest, their intoxicating, opiate groove bringing rock’n’roll’s exaggerated myths to life. And as it unfolds, II does find Nielson reenergized. “One At A Time” and “Faded In The Morning” boast dizzying choruses and instrumentals; these crusty hunks could have been excavated from a lost 1960s treasure trove. “Monki” unravels over seven minutes like the yarn from a stoner’s cardigan with an eye-frying pattern. “Dawn” is a minute of disconcerting noise that stands out between the nooks and crannies of the choruses, guitar solos, groove-heavy bass and drums that were recorded live by newly-recruited drummer Greg Rogove and Kody Nielson in a move away from the electronic percussion employed on album one. II closes with “Secret Xtians,” a tender observational puzzle that fizzes to a satisfied end.
In celebration of the album’s 10th anniversary Nielson’s complete collection from the II era is finally available in one compilation, and features the five acoustic tracks from the Blue EP as well as two additional B-sides. Unknown Mortal Orchestra was once Nielson’s closeted concern. With an album that uses his singular musical imagination and extraordinary talent to parade his emotions with unyielding honesty, it is now a fully realized band operating at the peak of its powers ten years on.
SELLING POINTS
Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s breakthrough second album is getting an exciting expanded edition with the Blue EP and two b-sides for a double-LP collection
First pressing on limited-edition metallic silver vinyl
Over 200,000 Consumption worldwide; Over 50,000 Phys and over 300,000,000 streams
“So Good at Being in Trouble” over 175M streams; “Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark) over 50M Streams
New worldwide tour dates supporting the band’s full catalog are confirmed through 2023 and into 2024
DISC 1
Side A
01 From The Sun
02 Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)
03 So Good At Being In Trouble
04 One At A Time
05 The Opposite of Afternoon
Side B
06 No Need For a Leader
07 Monki
08 Dawn
09 Faded in the Morning
10 Secret Xtians
DISC 2
Side A
11 Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)
12 Faded in the Morning
13 So Good At Being In Trouble
14 Swing Lo Magellan
15 Puttin’ It Down
Side B
16 Two Generations of Excess
17 Waves of Confidence