II (10th Anniversary Edition): Vinyl 2LP

Unknown Mortal Orchestra, born in basements and bedrooms, is the musical brainchild of Ruban Nielson, a New Zealander now based in Portland. His unique blend of guitar - god riffs, choppy percussion, soul, and funk is truly captivating. II, the band's sophomore album, emerged in a time of hedonism and isolationism, becoming the cornerstone of Nielson's fame. It solidified Unknown Mortal Orchestra as an endlessly fascinating, bold, and addictive band. Now, ten years later, it's back in an expanded edition. Written during a grueling and wild touring schedule when Nielson worried about his sanity and health, II portrays the emotional chaos of life on the road. It paints surreal, cartoon - like pictures of loneliness, love, and despair. The album sleeve features an unsettling image of Janet Farrar, a well - known British witch. The opening track “Into The Sun” has a chilling refrain where Nielson softly sings “Isolation can put a gun in your hand,” with the warm melody quickly embedding in your mind. His playful lyrics like “I’m so lonely I’ve gotta eat my popcorn all alone” match the melody, and a near - psychotropic solo ends the album's intro. UMO isn't afraid to delve deeper. Their intoxicating, opiate - like groove brings rock 'n' roll's over - the - top myths to life. As the album unfolds, Nielson seems reenergized. Tracks like “One At A Time” and “Faded In The Morning” have dizzying choruses and instrumentals, reminiscent of a lost 1960s treasure. “Monki” unwinds over seven minutes like a stoner's colorful cardigan yarn. “Dawn” is a minute of disconcerting noise that stands out among the live - recorded drums by Greg Rogove and Kody Nielson, a departure from the first album's electronic percussion. The album closes with “Secret Xtians,” a tender, observational piece that ends satisfyingly. To celebrate the album's 10th anniversary, Nielson's complete II - era collection is available in one compilation. It includes the five acoustic tracks from the Blue EP and two additional B - sides. Unknown Mortal Orchestra, once Nielson's private project, has now become a fully - realized band at the peak of its power. Tracklist: LP1 1. From The Sun 2. Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark) 3. So Good At Being In Trouble 4. One At A Time 5. The Opposite of Afternoon 6. No Need For a Leader 7. Monki 8. Dawn 9. Faded in the Morning 10. Secret Xtians LP2 11. Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark) 12. Faded in the Morning 13. So Good At Being In Trouble 14. Swing Lo Magellan 15. Puttin’ It Down 16. Two Generations of Excess 17. Waves of Confidence

Using this vinyl record is easy. First, make sure your record player is clean and in good working condition. Place the vinyl gently on the turntable, center it properly, and lower the tonearm onto the record. Sit back and enjoy the unique sound of vinyl. When handling the record, always hold it by the edges to avoid getting fingerprints on the playing surface, as this can affect the sound quality. After each use, return the record to its sleeve to protect it from dust and scratches. Store the record in a cool, dry place, standing upright to prevent warping. If the record gets dirty, you can use a vinyl cleaning brush to gently remove dust particles. But be careful not to apply too much pressure or use harsh chemicals, as this can damage the record.