UNKLE
War Stories
Play War Stories
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AMG Review of War Stories
John Bush
All Music GuideJames Lavelle's UNKLE project has offered virtually everything to its fans and the listening public -- virtually everything, except for great music. UNKLE full-lengths seem primed to make a major impact on music and culture. They're packed with high concept, dense with thematic elements ripped from the headlines (especially the war in Iraq), and this time out, include an artwork-packed booklet (featuring Massive Attack's Robert del Naja, Ben Drury, and Will Bankhead). The fact that the music has never fulfilled its expectations, despite the undeniable talents of everyone involved, points to a too-many-cooks problem. War Stories finds the group, a core duo of Lavelle and Richard File, enlisting major production help from Chris Goss. Goss' work with Masters of Reality and Kyuss made the California/Arizona desert a haven for progressive metal, and its influence is all over this record. Fellow desert rat Josh Homme reprises his role from the last UNKLE full length, along with del Naja (as 3D), indie rockers Autolux, English neo-garage band the Duke Spirit, and finally, Ian Astbury (like Lavelle, another Englishman apparently fascinated with the American Southwest). Astbury's vocals on "Burn My Shadow" and "When Things Explode" make for a pair of highlights; they're one of the few points on War Stories when a hint of personality threatens to overwhelm the many tenebrous guitars and gloomy, plaintive vocals. Newcomer Gavin Clark also shines as a stand-in for Jeff Buckley, but amid the many features and incredible dynamism that mark every UNKLE full-length, there are no songs to grab onto and little of real essence. [Some editions also included a bonus disc with instrumentals.]
New UNKLE track featuring Josh Homme
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This new track is from the forthcoming UNKLE release 'Nights Temper(APrelude To War Stories)Play this loud...trust me
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Stream UNKLE's "Burn My Shadow"
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Here's a track off he new UNKLE album, War Stories. The song, "Burn My Shadow," features a vocal by The Cult's Ian Astbury.
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UNKLE's new album
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I'm not too familiar with the group UNKLE. I remember they had one song a few years back they did with Thom Yorke.The new album, called "War Stories" out July 24th, has caught my eye though. I will definitely be checking this one out. Featuring artists like Josh Homme, Chris Goss, Ian Astbury, Massive Attack, Autolux and The Duke Spirit. Sounds good to me!Plus, I think this track is pretty k...
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 "War Stories")
