{"product_id":"unknown-mortal-orchestra-ii-10-year-anniversary-reissue-aluminum-2lp","title":"Unknown Mortal Orchestra - II: 10 Year Anniversary Reissue [Aluminum 2LP]","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnknown Mortal Orchestra came to life in basements and bedrooms, the musical vision of Portlander-via-New Zealand Ruban Nielson that fused guitar-god riffs, choppy percussion, soul and funk. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eII\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the sophomore album from UMO, emerged in an era rampant hedonism and isolationism and became the blueprint for everything Nielson has become renowned for. It was, and is, the solidification of Unknown Mortal Orchestra as an endlessly intriguing, brave and addictive band. Ten years on, it’s back with an expanded edition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten during a punishing, debauched touring schedule during which Nielson feared for both his sanity and health, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eII\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e illustrates the emotional turmoil of life on the road, painting surrealist, cartoonish portraits of loneliness, love and despair. These conflicting themes are evident immediately; on the album’s sleeve is an unnerving image of Janet Farrar, the famous British witch, Wiccan, author and teacher of witchcraft. The chilling refrain of opener “Into The Sun” sees Nielson deliver the line “Isolation can put a gun in your hand,” softly, his words starkly intelligible above a warm, slow-burning melody that \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003equickly brands itself onto your brain. His playful imagery (“I’m so lonely I’ve gotta eat my popcorn all alone”) mirrors the melody, before a solo that borders on psychotropic ends II‘s introduction. UMO is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eunafraid to dig deeper than the rest, their intoxicating, opiate groove bringing rock’n’roll’s exaggerated myths to life. And as it unfolds, II does find Nielson reenergized. “One At A Time” and “Faded In The \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMorning” boast dizzying choruses and instrumentals; these crusty hunks could have been excavated from a lost 1960s treasure 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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand crannies of the choruses, guitar solos, groove-heavy bass and drums that were recorded live by newly-recruited drummer Greg Rogove and Kody Nielson in a move away from the electronic percussion employed on album one. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eII\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e closes with “Secret Xtians,” a tender observational puzzle that fizzes to a satisfied end.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn celebration of the album’s 10th anniversary Nielson’s complete collection from the II era is finally available in one compilation, and features the five acoustic tracks from the Blue EP as well as two additional B-sides. 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 ten years on.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cdiv data-bt-autogen\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTracklist:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom the Sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwim and Sleep (Like a Shark)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSo Good at Being in Trouble\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne at a Time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Opposite of Afternoon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo Need for a Leader\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonki\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDawn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFaded in the Morning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSecret Xtians LP2: Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark) [Acoustic Version] [Acoustic Version]\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFaded in the Morning (Acoustic Version) [Acoustic Version]\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSo Good at Being in Trouble (Acoustic Version) [Acoustic Version]\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwing Lo Magellan (Acoustic Version) [Acoustic Version]\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePuttin It Down (Acoustic Version) [Acoustic Version]\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo Generations of Excess\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaves of Confidence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPC:\u003c\/strong\u003e 617308056426\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jagjaguwar\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11.17.23\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vinyl\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Jagjaguwar","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52028864659687,"sku":"697567","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0625\/2481\/7639\/files\/4250716-3043007.jpg?v=1777677605","url":"https:\/\/monumentsinruin.com\/products\/unknown-mortal-orchestra-ii-10-year-anniversary-reissue-aluminum-2lp","provider":"Monuments in Ruin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}