The Thousands

Some albums are perfect for road trips, some set the scene for Sunday morning. We reckon UNKLE’s new album WAR STORIES would do well at a strip joint. Maybe it’s the pummeling Goldfrapp basslines, or the moody lyrics, or the quasi-religious druggy epic-ness – but tracks like ‘Hold My Hand’ and ‘Mayday’ should come with a two-drink minimum and a no-hands-above-the-table provision.

Recorded in southern California’s Joshua Tree desert, UNKLE’s third album is the first time James Lavelle entered the studio with no songs pre-written. This spontaneity – and collaborating with rock dudes like Josh Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age) and Ian Astbury (from The Cult) – has given WAR STORIES more guitar strut and hip swagger than past efforts. It’s still got that dark dance edge, with traces of David Holmes, XTRMNTR-era Primal Scream, and Massive Attack (whose 3D guests as well). But their sound has progressed from subdued trip-hop to table strutting strip-hop.**Though it has moments that border on melodrama, hey – so does a good night out. What’s great about WAR STORIES is, it has intricate production, thick atmospherics, and strong melodies that appeal to us music connoisseurs _ yet it’s still got enough cocksure swagger for the gals of Bada Bing. Stock up on singles, boys. It’s gonna be a long night.