Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s II
a 10 year album anniversary review
one of the most defining albums of my late teens/early 20s turned 10 this week. Unknown Mortal Orchestra released their sophomore album, aptly titled II, on February 5, 2013.
the first time i heard anything from this album was on college radio one early morning that year, around 3AM. it was the track “Monki” — in retrospect, this was actually the song that solidified my interest in working for the school’s radio station. if there’s an ideal place to hear and fall in love with a 7 minute psych-rock track, it’s through college radio.
i mean, look at these lyrics:
WHO CARES WHAT GOD IS
OR WHAT A GUITAR IS
OR THAT YOU WERE BORN
i had been steadily getting into 1960s and 1970s music in high school, so to be a college freshman and realize that there are people making music reminiscent of that sound present-day was refreshing to say the least.1
II is one of the first records i bought for myself — it has a scratch that only adds to the old-school sound, a result of me being a newbie to vinyl collecting (as well as a hasty, distracted late-night decision to stop the record while i was otherwise occupied).
i wasn’t even a defined psychonaut when i heard this album. i didn’t even know what it meant to be “Faded in the Morning,” but i was curious and i knew deep in my heart that II would sound unbelievable while indulging with some good ol’ plant medicine (it would only be a few short months before i confirmed my belief).
in an IG post commemorating the album’s anniversary, singer Ruban Nielson likened it to “outsider art.” i didn’t realize it when i was younger, but that’s exactly what made me connect with this body of work and what intrigued me so much. but also: the fuzzy guitar. the striking, unique vocals with a range of pitches and emotion. the ambience. trust me when i say that it’s even more hazy, yet exhilarating in person.
i’ve seen UMO live three times and i would love to see them again. i vividly remember their performance at Terminal West, where i bought merch and got to meet Nielson during the Multi-Love tour. my musician friend (who i attended the show with) teased me for being so giddy about it. but i don’t make a habit of “meeting my heroes” so this was pretty special for me.2
now, back to the album! the single “So Good At Being In Trouble” is obviously a standout for II, but this album truly has no skips. i’ve listened to the record enough to see the charm in each track.
here’s a quick play-by-play below:
“From the Sun”
for those who have deeply battled with loneliness and their own existence, the opening line of this album is absolutely too raw, too real. it establishes many of the heavy themes that persist throughout the album. despite this weight, you know you’re in for a good listen once the drums roll in.
“Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)”
a fun, yet pessimistic track that i would consider a spiritual successor to “Ffunny Ffrends” from the band’s debut.
“So Good at Being in Trouble”
in my mind, this song defined the “manic pixie dream girl” concept for an entire generation.
“One at a Time”
due to the vivid storytelling, this song inspires synesthesia in my imagination. the notes: the hottest pink swirling with a brilliant baby blue, plus the taste of a crisp orange soda.
“The Opposite of Afternoon”
the transition from the last track to this one is notably seamless. like many of their songs, it’s full of worthy anticipation before the drums take full effect. and this is where you’d flip the record over.
“No Need for a Leader”
i love how fanciful this song sounds in contrast to its subject matter. it makes me feel like i’m in a kaleidoscope.
“Monki”
the aforementioned sentiments remain. the crooning on the chorus is another highlight of this track.
“Dawn”
what psych-rock album is complete without a space-age instrumental moment?
“Faded in the Morning”
straight-up poetry — not much else to say!
“Secret Xtians”
closing out the album, this is the sociopolitical, spiritual predecessor to “Puzzles” from the band’s third album.
we’ll circle back to the rest of my UMO collection when they release their 5th album V next month — i see the band has returned to using Roman numerals and that subtle detail has me even more excited.
whether you’re simply revisiting II or hearing of it for the first time, happy listening!
Tame Impala’s Lonerism was my obsession shortly before this, for obvious reasons.
i have the photo saved somewhere, but i’ll share this when i’m ready to discuss their third album, Multi-Love.