Staff Reviews

The Unthanks - Mount the Air

Review by Aaron Lavery

They move further away from the labels they’ve acquired.»

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'Mount The Air' is the first studio album by The Unthanks since Last was released four years ago. The album has been two years in the making and is the first to be made in their own makeshift studio in Northumberland, set up in an old granary building, 200 yards from where Rachel Unthank and Adrian McNally live. It is the first Unthanks record to feature writing from all 5 core members, including debut contributions from both Rachel and Becky Unthank, as well as continued and more extensive writing from pianist and producer Adrian McNally, including the opening 10 minute title track. Musically more ambitious than ever, the Mercury nominated Geordies are still a combination of grounded tradition and filmic orchestration, but with 'Mount The Air', they take on flavours from traditions as diverse as Spain, India, Blue Note and, er, Trip Hop. 'Mount The Air' is the work of an act who still believe whole heartedly in the value of the album as an artform. On very limited resources and makeshift facilities, they have shown extraordinary commitment and devotion to that art-form, to create their finest work yet.
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