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The late-90s days of top five albums and starry guests may be gone, but UNKLE have regrouped with a stirring, seductive minor classic. Presumably those marquee names were holding out for a call from Gorillaz, or Massive Attack, or Soulsavers. It doesn't matter. James Lavelle and UNKLE Mk 4 have, on the fifth album under the moniker, relied on their own inclinations and instincts. This is electronic psychedelic-groove, flush with drama. Neither space rock nor alt-dance but flickering somewhere on the cusp of both, it should win back deserters while glamouring new converts.
So: no Thom Yorke, Eno, or Ian Brown. Instead, vocals and other fripperies such as music are provided by people you've never heard of (or are pretending you have to appear clued-up). It really is a production-led album (recorded in London, Melbourne, LA and Ibiza). Maybe patches just glide and throb along, yet these serve as lulls might in a cinematic thriller. You need the take-a-breather moments to set the bursts of mad-axeman-chasing-you-up-the-stairs into relief.
The opening Blade Runner whooshes of Nowhere slide into the breakneck Follow Me Down (with Sleepy Sun), which mashes up Eastern influences (India, that is, not Hoxton) and a slice of Björk-giddy Sugarcubes. Natural Selection sees The Black Angels doing Secret Machines' motorik, with crisp enthusiasm. The Answer (with Big In Japan, the Baltimore ones not the ancient Liverpool ones) is huge and anthemic, like limbs from Elbow and Mercury Rev spliced together. Expect the intro to do duty as the soundtrack to various World Cup moments.
Heavy Drug is just a minute long yet crams in a cappella and Spiritualized trance, while Katrina Ford of Celebration sings like a woman possessed on the blatantly Banshees baroque of Caged Bird. Ablivion is all galloping rhythms and sexy time-shifts. And to climax, because 500 projects in the last year isn't enough for him, Mark Lanegan croons the farewell track Another Night Out, reasserting how like a Soulsavers album this is when it's flying.
There's an abundance of heaven here, stars or no stars. The best UNKLE album this century. --Chris Roberts
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is the only review I have ever felt compelled to write, such is my absolute addition to and love of this album.
Firstly, I feel important to state that even if you are not a fan of "Psyence Fiction" or other UNKLE albums, there is every chance that you will enjoy this album for what it is because it has such a different feel and takes you to many different places. For my money, this album is incredibly well-produced and more complete than the other albums. I enjoyed "Never Never Land" immensely but after listening to WDTNF, even that album feels half-baked now. Consequently, I feel that UNKLE really have progressed with this album and unlike some of the other reviewers below, I'm not getting the feeling that UNKLE have just found their sound and are sticking to it. In fact, they may well have found a new identity with Pablo joining the outfit and I would encourage he and James to press on with what makes them tick because it certainly isn't sounding "dreary" to me. I'm dead impressed with what they have achieved here.
To comment on the thoughts of other reviewers below, I would have to ask "dazey" how on earth he feels that this album "doesn't take off"? For after the 40-second "Blade-Runner"-infused intro, the first full track Follow Me Down goes supersonic! (the video to which can be found on the UNKLE facebook page and is absolutely gorgeous!). The album then follows with road-movie pace with many a good punch interspersed a few gentle moments to let you recover for the next blow to the solar plexus. It's absolutely awesome!
I agree with "Moonlight" when he says there are a few so-so tracks but none that I would call bloopers. And he's also right in saying that there is no point in cherry-picking tracks to download off this album. It's akin to fast-forwarding through Scarface, Training Day or Goodfellas just to watch the best one-liners - and you'd be missing out on some subtle yet still remarkable stuff in between if you did.
Put it this way, if I Bill Gates' fortune, I'd buy copies for everyone to enjoy!
Firstly, I feel important to state that even if you are not a fan of "Psyence Fiction" or other UNKLE albums, there is every chance that you will enjoy this album for what it is because it has such a different feel and takes you to many different places. For my money, this album is incredibly well-produced and more complete than the other albums. I enjoyed "Never Never Land" immensely but after listening to WDTNF, even that album feels half-baked now. Consequently, I feel that UNKLE really have progressed with this album and unlike some of the other reviewers below, I'm not getting the feeling that UNKLE have just found their sound and are sticking to it. In fact, they may well have found a new identity with Pablo joining the outfit and I would encourage he and James to press on with what makes them tick because it certainly isn't sounding "dreary" to me. I'm dead impressed with what they have achieved here.
To comment on the thoughts of other reviewers below, I would have to ask "dazey" how on earth he feels that this album "doesn't take off"? For after the 40-second "Blade-Runner"-infused intro, the first full track Follow Me Down goes supersonic! (the video to which can be found on the UNKLE facebook page and is absolutely gorgeous!). The album then follows with road-movie pace with many a good punch interspersed a few gentle moments to let you recover for the next blow to the solar plexus. It's absolutely awesome!
I agree with "Moonlight" when he says there are a few so-so tracks but none that I would call bloopers. And he's also right in saying that there is no point in cherry-picking tracks to download off this album. It's akin to fast-forwarding through Scarface, Training Day or Goodfellas just to watch the best one-liners - and you'd be missing out on some subtle yet still remarkable stuff in between if you did.
Put it this way, if I Bill Gates' fortune, I'd buy copies for everyone to enjoy!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I recently purchased this album primarily for the vocal contributions by Gavin Clark & Mark Lanegan both of whom I follow religiously. together these two guys have contributed to some of the most interesting projects in my music collection today & introduced me to the greatness that is UNKLE. I now have their entire discog and love them all.
Comparing this album with previous releases i'd say it's a bit flatter and less uplifting than say war stories on first listen, but after a few spins it really hits. It bares elements of typical UNKLE but is different enough to make interesting listening. Not fair to say just another UNKLE album. As far as i'm concerned if you enjoyed listening to UNKLE before then you will enjoy Where Did the Night Fall.
Try it.
Comparing this album with previous releases i'd say it's a bit flatter and less uplifting than say war stories on first listen, but after a few spins it really hits. It bares elements of typical UNKLE but is different enough to make interesting listening. Not fair to say just another UNKLE album. As far as i'm concerned if you enjoyed listening to UNKLE before then you will enjoy Where Did the Night Fall.
Try it.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was hoping this would be good stuff from UNKLE as I have become a huge fan of theirs since finding them thanks to Top Gear featuring a lot of their music. Yes I have only listened to this 3 or 4 times since buying the CD, but I have to say there is a lot of musical depth to the tracks we are presented with. I cannot think of any other band to compare UNKLE to and uphold their unique style which you really couldn't pigeon hole into any category (despite the tags below)!
There are a couple of so-so tracks on the album but nothing too drastic. If you love music with a passion, then you will appreciate this album for what it is, complex, clever and deep. I still feel like I have only scratched the surface with this one, so I will see how it wears. Play it loud on a good system and you won't be disappointed.. If you are not familiar with UNKLE then you will probably find the musical journey a little odd at times.. But I love them for what they are, unique and talented.
It's a shame people these days pick and choose which tracks to download as it ruins the concept of 'an album'. A good album should take you on a musical journey, a selection of singles can never do that. Buy the album, go on a journey and don't pick off a couple of singles in a download.
There are a couple of so-so tracks on the album but nothing too drastic. If you love music with a passion, then you will appreciate this album for what it is, complex, clever and deep. I still feel like I have only scratched the surface with this one, so I will see how it wears. Play it loud on a good system and you won't be disappointed.. If you are not familiar with UNKLE then you will probably find the musical journey a little odd at times.. But I love them for what they are, unique and talented.
It's a shame people these days pick and choose which tracks to download as it ruins the concept of 'an album'. A good album should take you on a musical journey, a selection of singles can never do that. Buy the album, go on a journey and don't pick off a couple of singles in a download.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
whats the fuss?
So whats all the fuss about?
I really hoped to be transported by this new album but it just doesnt take off.
Shame but not tragic. Read more
I really hoped to be transported by this new album but it just doesnt take off.
Shame but not tragic. Read more
Published 22 months ago by dazey
More electronics and filthy beats please!
To set the record straight I am one of the biggest Unkle fans out there. I have collected all the special editions, the re-releases, the mixes and from such a broad range of music... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Big Unkle Fan
Return To Form
After a prolific mid-lie spurt, UNKLE, the once lauded name to which James Lavelle applied almost creative work he has recorded, have careered to here : whereas previous UNKLE... Read more
Published on 2 Jun 2010 by Mr. M. A. Reed
they gone and done it again!
Anyone who is gonna consider buying this album knows what to expect and definitely will not be dissapointed. Read more
Published on 27 May 2010 by Mr. L. Barter
Unkle have finally found a sound they are sticking with, sadly.
Anyone familiar with Unkle's career will know that they have always excelled at trying new things and adapting their sound. Read more
Published on 22 May 2010 by N. Snow
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