UNKLE - War Stories

joethelion · #1 06-06-2007, 05:59 PM

wow...

so, I found a shitty 128kbps copy of the new Unkle album

and despite the low-quality of the rip, I'll still say... this album is actually quite good! Like, I'd say - off the top of my head... it beats any other album that's been released so for this year

(wait... was "Sound of Silver" out this year, or late '06?)

but anyways... I was honestly surprised on how good this album was, especially as (a) James Lavelle actually sings on some tracks (b) it's almost like "Unkle does rock"

but it actually WORKS

it was produced by Chriss Goss (QOTSA) but it doesn't really feel like a QOTSA rip-off

although, it is a bit shitty that "Burn My Shadow" has been collecting dust for like 3+ years, and it's only now that it's being released (but then... look at Radiohead - I think some songs of theirs have taken longer to be released)

...and it also is nice/funny that they sampled at least three David Bowie songs: "5:15 The Angels Have Gone" "Be My Wife" & I'm almost 100% positive "Sweet Thing (Reprise)"

dubman · #2 06-06-2007, 06:20 PM

there's been a lot of people blindsided by how good this record is.
sigh.
dammit.

i'm going to have to check out an album by a group i've completely and utterly written off.
not with this shitty 128kbps download tho. i'm not *that* willing.

joethelion · #3 06-07-2007, 08:26 AM

yea - I really would've waited to download the album, as I HATE 128kbps mp3's... but then someone actually sent me a copy of the files!

While I can (pretty easily) inhibit myself for overtly looking for a leaked album, especially if it's in shitty sound quality... it's hard to not download when someone's put it right in front of you; know what I mean?

grady · #4 06-10-2007, 11:46 PM

I downloaded the 128 because I tend to be impatient about these things and then grabbed the scene release and I've been listening to this album quite a bit the past 5-6 days.

Good stuff and a nice departure of sorts for Lavelle.

dubman · #5 06-12-2007, 08:48 AM

got it yesterday and it's already marked for deletion.
it's not BAD by any means, it's just not impressive in the slightest.

patrick · #6 06-13-2007, 06:49 PM

i really like it, and i didn't get into the middle unkle at all, and haven't yet looked into the first stuff. but there are some great toons on this one

Chicane · #7 06-14-2007, 11:07 PM

i have it also. great tunes. i really like their style.

patrick · #8 06-15-2007, 04:18 AM

restless is like exactly what it says... how could anyone sleep for days after that song! it's like 10,000 awesome guitars wailing at the same time!

Flywaver · #9 07-09-2007, 12:31 PM

At first i thought..............This is a bleedin nightmare as i can't get the feckin boxset open! Anyone else have this problem with the Limited Edition!? I used most the Kitchen Equipment to pull out the box! Anyway playing the Album my first thoughts are its Rock! But it does Rock!!!
Totally different from Never Never Land which is better than Psyence Fiction but War Stories gets better and better after each listen.
A great buy but the packaging.......... Ughh

Leon · #10 07-18-2007, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flywaver

At first i thought..............This is a bleedin nightmare as i can't get the feckin boxset open! Anyone else have this problem with the Limited Edition!? I used most the Kitchen Equipment to pull out the box! Anyway playing the Album my first thoughts are its Rock! But it does Rock!!!
Totally different from Never Never Land which is better than Psyence Fiction but War Stories gets better and better after each listen.
A great buy but the packaging.......... Ughh

From the UNKLE website:

War Stories LIMITED EDITION

Apologies to those who have been experiencing difficulties opening the limited edition War Stories. The vacuum packing technique looks great but does require some patience when opening. The secret is to give it time and not use any sharp implements that may damage the pack. Here is the process for picking the lock on this treasure chest of new UNKLE tunes:

Step 1: Pull the sides apart for about a minute to loosen up the outside package and let air in.
Step 2: Grab the box with the sliding end facing away from you and shake it hard for a couple of minutes.
Step 3: Once the inner case slides out a bit, grab it and pull.
Step 4: Smile because you've opened the new UNKLE treasure chest.
Step 5: Put the CD in, turn up the volume, check out the artwork in the booklet and enjoy!

I got this album and I think it's 50% good, 50% uninteresting.
Some of the songs have these too obvious melodies and just go by unnoticed, but some tracks are just really really nice. And the intro isn't as annoying as Never Never Land's one.

My favorites so far:
Restless
Burn My Shadow
Persons & Machinery
Twilight
Broken