News
Unkle Bob ‘Songs For Others’ EP Out Now
- The Daily Record
- The Scottish Sun
Unkle Bob are pleased to announce the release of their stunning EP, Songs For Others, available now on iTunes and released via JustMe.
Songs For Others was largely recorded in a small Scottish bedroom, with singer-songwriter Rick Webster taking inspiration from artists like R Stevie Moore, Nick Cave, Grizzly Bear and The Smiths to move away from a purely acoustic sound, and instead, experiment with electric guitars, distortion pedals and looping effects. The result is a wonderful collection of songs that has seen the band gain support from the likes of The Daily Record and The Sun as well as being named 'UK Artist of the Week' on the Vinyl District and 'Artist of the Week' by Fame Magazine.
The recent free download track, 'Home', is the EP's glorious closer and cements Rick's flair as a talented songwriter and poignant lyricist. Memorable hooks, tight harmonies and an addictive chorus are accentuated further by Rick's powerful vocals as he delivers the lyric "Home is where the heart is, and you still have a heart..." - a lyric that sounds as if such a simple sentiment has never been said before.
You can download Home below or from the the ABoF Soundcloud page.
Watch the video for 'Home' below or from the Unkle Bob YouTube page.
It's easy to see why Unkle Bob have pulled in comparisons ranging from Fables of the Reconstruction-era REM and Aztec Camera to the likes of Nick Drake, as Songs for Others embodies Unkle Bob's ability to create catchy hooks, enhanced by echoing, overlapping vocals and cathartic lyrics that explore love and loss. Opening track, and previous free download, Brother, is a downpour of reverberant, harmonised melodies, and the chorus evokes the spirit of Neil Young, as Rick sings "Forever I'll be your Brother...". While Unkle Bob's accomplished songwriting ability is confirmed by second track 'Change', which immediately picks up the pace, building swiftly into a blissful, crisp pop ballad befitting acclaimed bands like Doves.
Songs for Others follows the critically lauded albums Sugar and Spite (2006), and Shockwaves (2010) - records that made the band something of a cult phenomenon in the US. Their songs were the sound-track to countless US dramas
(spawning well over 100,000 downloads in the process) whilst the song 'Swans' was featured in the climax to a Grey's Anatomy storyline.
This record was funded through PledgeMusic. Using the idea of a 'Song for You' option, Unkle Bob gave fans the opportunity to buy a song written about their lives. Rick entered into dialogue with the fans about lyrics and the general style of the track, giving birth to the single Brother and EP track 'Home'.
Songs for Others EP continues Unkle Bob's hectic 2013 schedule. Having returned with the Letters EP on Christmas Day last year, following the death and resurrection of the band itself, Unkle Bob have gone onto play 3 festivals in Changsha (China) in front of 20,000 people, released two singles from the EP, before the unveiling of Songs For Others.
Songs for Others is out now via JustMe and is available to buy on iTunes.