From The Sun Emerging from rampant hedonism and isolation is II , the new album from Unknown Mortal Orchestra . The Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark) musical vision of Portlander-via-New Zealand Ruban Nielson started as an anonymous home-recording project that fused psychedelia, soul, choppy percussion and funk. UMO came to life in basements and bedrooms after So Good At Being In Trouble Nielson moved from his native New Zealand to Portland, Oregon with his family. Following the recruitment of One At A Time bassist Jacob Portrait, new drummer Greg Rogove and a deal with Jagjaguwar, UMO toured the US with Grizzly The Opposite of Afternoon Bear and Liars. No Need For a Leader II builds on the break-beat, junk-shop charm the 32-year-old multi-instrumentalist and songwriter came to be Monki renowned for following his self-titled 2011 debut, and signals the solidification of Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Dawn position as an endlessly intriguing, brave psychedelic band. UMO is unafraid to dig deeper than the rest to lock into their intoxicating, opiate groove and bring rock’n’roll’s exaggerated myths to life. Faded in the Morning Secret Xtians 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.
CATALOG #: JAG232 These conflicting themes are evident immediately; on the album’s sleeve is an unnerving image of Janet Farrar, RELEASE DATE : FEBRUARY 5, 2013 the famous British witch, Wiccan, author and teacher of witchcraft. The chilling refrain of opener “Into The Sun” FORMAT: CD/ LP/DIGITAL sees Nielson deliver the line “Isolation can put a gun in your hand,” softly, his words starkly intelligible above a CD BOX LOT: 30 warm, slow-burning melody that quickly brands itself onto your brain. His playful imagery (“I’m so lonely I’ve LP BOX LOT: 25 gotta eat my popcorn all alone”) mirrors the melody, before a solo that borders on psychotropic ends II ‘s GENRE: PSYCH ROCK / INDIE ROCK introduction. As it unfolds, II does find Nielson reenergized. “One At A Time” and “Faded In The Morning” boast KEY MARKETS: NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES, dizzying choruses and instrumentals; these crusty hunks could have been excavated from a lost 1960s treasure PORTLAND, SEATTLE, SAN FRANCISCO, 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 CHICAGO, AUSTIN, PHILADELPHIA, BOSTON, solos, groove-heavy bass and drums that were recorded live by newly-recruited drummer Greg Rogove and Kody ATLANTA, NASHVILLE 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. VINYL NOT RETURNABLE Pulling Pink Floyd, the Family Stone, The Beatles and the Soft Machine through his warped rock’n’roll filter; Nielson created a collection of expressive, psychedelia. 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. CD UPC: 656605223223 – Ben Homewood
SELLING POINTS LP UPC: 656605223216 1. The follow up and refinement to 2011’s self-titled, critically adored debut (released by Fat Possum and True Panther Sounds).
2. Press campaign will include late night network TV appearances and top-tier print features. Advance press days DIGITAL UPC: 656605223261 planned in the UK and Europe.
3. Robust touring schedule, including appearances at major US and European festivals.
4. Substantial marketing and advertising campaigns.
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