Glasgow is fast becoming a hub of musical creativity proudly boasting Franz Ferdinand and Snow Patrol among its residents. It is now time to add Unkle Bob to the melting pot of innovation, and deservingly so.
The five piece outfit hail from the length and breadth of Britain, but have found a spiritual home in Glasgow where the launch of their eponymous debut album has been a sell-out success. Unkle Bob are a tight unit and they make it look so easy. Their simple lyrics resonate with a stark honesty that suggests a band wise beyond their years. Lilting melodies fold around mournful lyrics to provide the musical equivalent of the last warm bath you’d take before you cut your wrists. Their debut single “One by One” has a soporific quality, layering swelling arpeggios over smatterings of tabla beats; while “Hold it Down” opens with a gentle touch of slide guitar before lapsing lazily into groovy acoustic reverie. Think Elbow invoking the ghost of Elliot Smith and you’re halfway there.
Seeing Unkle Bob play live is a sedentary affair as they glide effortlessly through an acoustic medley peppered with hand drums, banjos and piano. Vocals are served up by a cherubic front man whose voice soothes as it seethes; at times gentle and unassuming, at others raw and visceral. The result is a brew of songs that rationalises the irrational, questions the inequities of desire, and documents the frustrations of a love that consumes.
Recent performances have seen Unkle Bob playing “The Acoustic Affair” at Jongleurs where, with the unveiling of some new songs it would seem that they are paving their way to success. The chorus of irresistibly catchy “The Hit Parade” builds to a throbbing climax of incantation – “I wanna get played, I wanna get laid, I wanna walk down the hit parade” Early signs all point towards the realisation of the dream. These lyrics may well become their self fulfilling prophecy.
Marie-Claire Jones
