I’ve been going bananas over this album since I picked it up earlier this month. My fiance even loves it too and I imagine it’s the kind of album even kids would love due to the catchy tunes within that really do pop a smile on your face.
UMO is a New Zealander called Ruban Nielson. Apparently UMO was just stuff he made for his own amusement while he played with a cult NZ punk band on legendary label Flying Nun Records. Thankfully that band split and he turned his attention to his own music as it’s pretty unique & brilliant.
I’d describe it as 60s pyschadelic rock/RnB/pop meets classic funk/hip hop breaks with a touch of kiwi weirdness thrown in for good measure. This could’ve been a disaster but it’s anything but.
Below are some of the albums tunes and below that is the Piccadilly Records lowdown on this incredible record…hope ya dig it! (now pop some headphones on and BLAST IT!!!)
Ffunny Ffriends
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JXSRof0v4w&feature=related
Bicycle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzTgSC3vF6E&feature=related
Little Blu House
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZGa8fA48SY&feature=related
Nerve Damage! (He HAD to throw in one Punk number!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN_qiTTv04c&feature=related
How Can You Luv Me?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6z7x9bmvJs&feature=related
Darryl says: Ace wonky indie-art-pop from Ruban Nielson AKA U.M.O. Like an updated version of Syd Barrett backed by the Beatles going through a beatz blender. Loose, off-kilter and rather wonderful!
ABOUT THIS ITEM
"Unknown Mortal Orchestra (U.M.O.) was conceived as a home recording project by Ruban Nielson after spending years playing and touring in an award-winning New Zealand punk band (on the legendary Flying Nun label). The band broke up after re-locating to Portland, OR and Ruban was ready to move away from his nomadic past. His recordings as U.M.O., mainly created for his personal amusement, have now taken on a life of their own.
Ruban’s vision of creating “junkshop record collector pop” culminated in the creation of sprawling Beatles-esque guitar melodies over hammered out break-beats, spliced with an individual touch of gentle weirdness. The results deliver a surprisingly unified fusion of several influential elements - classic psychedelic rock, Krautrock rhythms and proto-hip hop beats – all interacting to create a cohesive album.
Though the songs were never intended to be performed live, the last six months has seen the project gather pace behind a wave of critical acclaim. A sold-out limited edition EP lead Ruban to construct a live band consisting of skilled producer Jake Portrait on bass and a brilliant teenage drummer named Julien Ehrlich."
TRACK LISTING
- Ffunny Ffrends
- Bicycle
- Thought Ballune
- Jello And Juggernauts
- How Can U Luv Me?
- Nerve Damage!
- Little Blu House
- Strangers Are Strange
- Boy Witch