UNKLE
Never, Never, Land

THE REVIEW

I start by saying that I know nothing about UNKLE.
I only know that they have already released another full album (PSYENCE FICTION, 1998, for Island Records) and a plethora of EPs, singles, and remixes, that the duo was originally formed by James Lavelle - the boss of Mo' Wax Records - and Dj Shadow, and that after the latter's departure, Richard File joined, another expert manipulator of infernal machines. Not knowing the first album, I can only imagine it was infused with hip-hop and trip-hop sounds, given Dj Shadow's presence. Reading the bio on the internet, it seems it was just like that...

Instead, the matrix supporting NEVER NEVER LAND (Island) is made of decidedly spacey electro-rock.
With this album, UNKLE (aliens with cone-shaped skulls and pointed ears) take us on a long and winding journey through the "land of nowhere".
Do you recall the radio being turned on in SONGS FOR THE DEAF by QOTSA? It's like taking a ride in a Mustang across the Mexican border, right? Well, with NEVER NEVER LAND, it feels the same, only with a stellar spaceship on the edge of space... Metallic voices in the background, magnetic and throbbing sounds, electro-seminal interludes... the common thread linking the pieces is like a space-trip between supernovae and planets from other galaxies.

Expedition into the infinite space where it is possible to encounter seductive entities: a great Josh Homme on vocals in the compressed and slow Safe In Mind, Ian Brown and Mani of the Stone Roses in the sweet but harmonious Reign, 3D of Massive Attack in full mezzanine form in Invasion, Brian Eno and Jarvis Cocker unleashing their deadly kaos-ambient-synthesizers in I Need Something Stronger...
This strange, hypnotic journey continues smoothly, intriguing until the end, among the screamadelic Glow (with vocalist Joel Cadbury of South) and the beautiful concluding ballad Inside.

Interesting, complicated album, filled with details. Sumptuous electro-nu-prog-rock, absolutely to be listened to with headphones. Highly recommended for those who love music in its cosmic alterations.