[rating=3.00]
Master collaborator James Lavelle has arisen again as UNKLE, releasing UNKLE’s third album, War Stories, after a four-year hiatus since Never, Never, Land. Unsurprisingly, given that UNKLE is the work of a multi-person collaborative effort, War Stories is a mixed bag of quality tracks and songs that will be gone from your recollection as soon as they end. Comprised mainly of Lavelle and Chris Goss and Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age, the album is listenable throughout; however, it only shines with the help of The Cult’s Ian Astbury, Massive Attack’s 3D, and Gavin Clark, of Clayhill.
The first full-length song of the album, "Chemistry," is a rambling instrumental that brings to mind a bunch of guys jamming in a musical instrument shop – and is about as engaging. The next couple of tracks similarly fail to intrigue, sitting suitably in the "nondescript rock" category. However, with "Keys to the Kingdom," featuring Clark on vocals, this incarnation of UNKLE finally starts to come alive. Featuring a bass riff unheard since The Cure’s cover of "Burn" in 1994’s The Crow soundtrack, a gorgeously catchy guitar riff, and Clark’s airy, haunting vocals, "Keys…" should be considered as the opener of the album. Similarly, Ian Asbury’s first appearance on the album, in "Burn My Shadow," brings an appealing intensity, an almost urgent energy, that easily flows with his vocals (which, oddly, call to mind Moby circa Hotel).
Other standouts on the album include the deep bass "Twilight," featuring 3D (oh, how the world needs more Massive Attack!), with its steady, sexy bass lines, and "When Things Explode," again featuring Astbury, with more than a hint of Joy Division hinting throughout the song.
Overall, this is a solid album; however, rather than draw the listener closer to UNKLE, it might lead more people to The Cult, Clayhill, and Massive Attack – and really, can that be a bad thing?