Unkle Bob |
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There’s nothing particularly flashy about Unkle Bob. They don’t sound like they wear silver suits or are about to rock your skull into submission. In fact, they sound like they never play without their lucky stools (of the seating-type), but as it so happens, it’s probably a great thing that this band are no dedicated followers of fashion because they just get on with some really mature, acoustic songwriting, which could so easily exist as dull and lifeless, but it doesn’t.
In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the three opening tracks of this self-titled effort all contain moments which I am happy to describe as fantastic. It’s just how they structure the songs and deliver the lead melodies into areas that you never quite expect, but which always end up fitting perfectly. Even lyrically, the emotional content is pretty clear, and at the same time, it doesn’t feel particularly contrived or trite. The result is neither completely pop, nor simply folk – it’s just nice, and you could imagine any of those opening tracks playing out on that segment of Top of the Pops 2 where they let some artist Radio Two loves, who you’ve never actually heard of, end the show.
On the first few listens, ‘From the Cold’ was a turn-off, though. The sudden switch to an acoustic-style reggae influence just seemed nasty, but it’s a grower surprisingly. Maybe it’s because it comes out of nowhere, but I knew from early on that I didn’t want Unkle Bob to turn into Bob Marley. I can’t say I ever wanted anyone to turn into Bob Marley. Looking at it from the perspective that it shares more in common with Sting somehow makes it more tolerable, though.
Despite the slight blip, the rest of the album is a plain-sailing trip of pleasantness, picking back up from where it started, and it isn’t really necessary to pick out individual tracks because they all stand up strongly. It might not be cool enough for some of the kids, but the album is definitely an accomplishment of simple songwriting power. Considering the success that so many other acoustic-style acts have scored over the past couple of years with much less to offer, then Unkle Bob should be proud at providing such a high quality debut.
Steven McCarron
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