Unkle - Restless

  by Russell Ferguson

published: 3 / 4 / 2008

Label: Surrender
Format: CDS

intro

Curiously impressive crossover of genres on latest single from Unkle, the moniker of James Lavelle, which sounds like a combination of Franz Ferdinand and Depeche Mode

When you straddle different genres of music it is always going to be an up hill struggle. The two camps will always be wary in case you suddenly jump from the fence into the opposing camp. Pulling off the trick of appealing to both sides isn’t easy as you are always going to be accused of being something you are not. Take Marilyn Manson for example. Is he Goth or is he Glam? You see my point? Unkle, which is the moniker of James Lavelle, seems to have bucked the trend and is not only making music that is critical acclaimed but is also stylistically different from many of the cross over bands. ‘Restless’ is the latest single from the ‘War Stories’ album. It features Josh Homme from Queen of the Stoneage on vocals and is a melodic, rumbling affair that is easy on the ear. It has the drumbeat and keyboards of a low-key dance record but the vocals and guitar of an indie rock song. Think Franz Ferdinand doing Depeche Mode and you are kind of getting there. A curious mix of styles that works very well mainly because like all good pop records it keeps itself simple and doesn’t over stretch itself in any particular direction. While this record will never rock your world, it gets better with each listen.

Track Listing:-