Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Rote Fabrik, 20.11.13
UMO Backdrop and Cover of their latest Album; II
It was a hard act to follow the support band; ‘Mozes And The First Born‘ with the energy they delivered. The garage-rock/college music they play is a something for everyone including the family cat. And they do it well.
The main act: Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Riley Geare; drums, Ruben Nielson; vox, guitar, Jake Portrait; bass) lacked neither in energy or drumming precision. Geare practically wears the drum kit like a second skin and although I’m adverse to rock bands providing really long guitar and drum solos. usually. With UMO there’s no escaping them and these ‘prolonged instrumental intervals’ are incredibly cool and not at all boring.
Heavily laden with hall, phaser and overdrive, Nielson conjours up a ‘other worldly’ feeling –distant but still coherent to the musics pinnings of Motown, jazz, psychedelic pop and rock. How long the music can withstand the pummeling of all this effect I’m not sure – although I did learn my lesson on how to love long guitar solos, at some point the music slightly alienated me with these effects – whether by design or not – Whatever. Nielson did come back on stage for encore and warmed the audience up again with a beautiful rendition of From The Sun.
It will be really interesting to watch how their music and Nielson’s fancy footwork evolve.
Great gig! Tour Dates: http://unknownmortalorchestra.com/
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