{"product_id":"ii-10th-anniversary-edition","title":"II (10th Anniversary Edition)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnknown Mortal Orchestra\u003c\/strong\u003e's breakthrough second album is getting an exciting expanded edition with the \u003cem\u003eBlue EP\u003c\/em\u003e and two b-sides for a double-LP collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnknown Mortal Orchestra\u003c\/strong\u003e 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. \u003cem\u003eII\u003c\/em\u003e, the sophomore album from \u003cstrong\u003eUMO\u003c\/strong\u003e, emerged in an era rampant with hedonism and isolationism and became the blueprint for everything Nielson has become renowned for. It was, and is, the solidification of \u003cstrong\u003eUnknown Mortal Orchestra\u003c\/strong\u003e as an endlessly intriguing, brave, and addictive band.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTen years on, it's back with an expanded edition. Written during a punishing, debauched touring schedule during which Nielson feared for both his sanity and health, \u003cem\u003eII\u003c\/em\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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe chilling refrain of opener \"\u003cem\u003eInto The Sun\u003c\/em\u003e\" 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 quickly brands itself onto your brain. Nielson's 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 \u003cem\u003eII\u003c\/em\u003e's introduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUMO\u003c\/strong\u003e is unafraid to dig deeper than the rest, their intoxicating, opiate groove bringing rock'n'roll's exaggerated myths to life. And as it unfolds, \u003cem\u003eII\u003c\/em\u003e does find Nielson reenergized. \"\u003cem\u003eOne At A Time\u003c\/em\u003e\" and \"\u003cem\u003eFaded In The Morning\u003c\/em\u003e\" boast dizzying choruses and instrumentals; these crusty hunks could have been excavated from a lost 1960s treasure trove. \"\u003cem\u003eMonki\u003c\/em\u003e\" unravels over seven minutes like the yarn from a stoner's cardigan with an eye-frying pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eDawn\u003c\/em\u003e\" is a minute of disconcerting noise that stands out between the nooks and 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. \u003cem\u003eII\u003c\/em\u003e closes with \"\u003cem\u003eSecret Xtians\u003c\/em\u003e,\" a tender observational puzzle that fizzes to a satisfied end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn celebration of the album's 10th anniversary Nielson's complete collection from the \u003cem\u003eII\u003c\/em\u003e era is finally available in one compilation, and features the five acoustic tracks from the \u003cem\u003eBlue EP\u003c\/em\u003e as well as two additional B-sides. \u003cstrong\u003eUnknown Mortal Orchestra\u003c\/strong\u003e 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\/p\u003e","brand":"Jagjaguwar","offers":[{"title":"Silver LPx2","offer_id":50489839485259,"sku":"2055936","price":39.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/656605223261_T9597857100054_026c5fcf_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727644328","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/products\/ii-10th-anniversary-edition","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}