It seems ages since this band was known as Rachel Unthank & the Winterset. Since 2009 the band have been The Unthanks and sisters Rachel and Becky and the rest of the band just grow musically stronger with each record.
Like a good malt whisky, the taste does change depending on where and when you are drinking it. A Sunday afternoon for ‘Mount the Air’ is just perfect.
Eleven songs, beautiful voices and harmonies sung so sweetly it’s enough to make you melt during the ten minutes of the opening and title song with it's lovely instrumentation, brass and strings abound.
The songs on this record are beautiful and there is no shying away from letting every one of them flow to a natural conclusion. ‘Foundling’ is also a ten-minute epic, this time with a cinematic widescreen undertow.
Two years in the making and recorded in their “own makeshift studio” in Northumberland, this is the first Unthanks record to feature writing from all 5 core members of the band and this really does show in the depth of the songs.
Ingrained in the folk world this record should bring the band to the attention of a wider audience with no risk of loosing any of their loyal fanbase. Already Mercury nominated Geordies; ‘Mount the Air’ should take them to the top of the pile this year.
Songs of Love and death as you would expect. Stories abound from the speakers that keep the listener entranced over a fair few cuppas!
Pete
10/11
Website to check out those tour dates is HERE
