Throughout this year, Unknown Mortal Orchestra has experimented with different sounds and approaches by taking on ambitious projects like covering the Dirty Projectors track "Swing Lo Magellan" and Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay." The Portland trio also covered Lindstrøm's 2012 single "Rà -à kõ-st."
The psych-crooners first released their self-titled debut album in 2011, which was described as "sounding like songs ripped from some pirate FM radio of the 1970s, it invokes the feeling of spinning that first piece of dusty, warped vinyl," by Consequence of Sound. Then came II earlier this year, and was followed by Blue Record EP, which are more folk-sounding renditions of singles from II.
Now the band has expanded its musical horizons even more with a 22-minute release called "SB-01″ that takes on a whole new direction with some Middle Eastern hints at the beginning and enough time throughout the track to allow the freedom to create a thoroughly evolving story, which finds its way into a truly ambient rock realm.
In certain ways "SB-01″ pays tribute to the mastermind and father of ambient music, Brian Eno, who is rightfully an inspiration for most musicians who take on a project like this.
Chances are you might be a little bit tired of Christmas music at this point, drained from family time, too much to eat, maybe slightly hung over from eggnog and other festive concoctions. Turn off the Jingle Bells and listen to something a little more pensive and reflective. Listen to UMO's "SB-01" below.
