Review and Photos By: Mike Gerry
Unknown Mortal Orchestra came to and sold out Atlanta’s Terminal West behind the Portland band’s third album, Multi-Love, out everywhere now via Jagjaguwar. On a hot Saturday Atlanta summer evening, it’s no wonder UMO sold out Terminal West with this latest album. They proved the hype for this sold out gig was legit.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra doesn’t sound like any other band out there. Starting with their first single, “FFunny FFriends” from 2011’s self titled debut, UMO have been creating an eclectic brand of psychedelic funk. Plenty of experimenting has gone into Ruban Nielson’s music, continuing the evolution of Unknown Mortal Orchestra where this latest album kicks up the funk another gear and dives further into soul & R&B influences all while recorded in a his home studio with homemade synthesizers and gear.
Starting with the single “Multi-Love”, this album gets the crowds dancing and having a great time. It also gives Ruban plenty of opportunity to croon, and he danced all around the stage, singing his heart out to these deeply personal songs. He felt it, the crowd felt it, and we all sang and danced together.
That’s not to say that only the new songs were the highlights. Hits like “So Good at Being in Trouble” and “Swim and Sleep” from 2013’s II, fit right into the setlist meshing together cohesively. With three great albums from Unknown Mortal Orchestra and a growing number of fans catching on to all of the work, there is no disappointment from these guys live.
UMO is a band that is just going to keep pushing the boundaries and expanding their sound. This is a band you have to get down with live, there’s no doubt you will be screaming their praises like us.
Check out the photo gallery for more:
Check out a few videos from the show:
Unknown Mortal Orchestra getting groovy on “So Good At Being in Trouble”
UMO closing down with the funky track “Can’t Keep Checking My Phone”
