The Road, Pt. 1

by 
AlbumAug 18 / 201715 songs, 56m 57s88%
Noteable

On his first album in seven years, James Lavelle assembles a characteristically wide cast of collaborators, but *The Road, Pt. 1* is as moody and introspective as his rock-electronic hybrids have ever sounded. Mark Lanegan’s gravelly baritone lends sorrowful weight to the theatrical strings of “Looking for the Rain,” while “Cowboys or Indians” demonstrates Lavelle’s fondness for fusion, toggling between acoustic folk and nervous trip-hop. The dark clouds grow a silver lining on “Stole Enough,” a bittersweet song for piano and gospel chorus.

8 / 10

Unkle may be ready to step out of from the shadows of Psyence Fiction nearly 20 years ago.

The Road, Pt 1 is an eclectic, cinematic effort that’s also surprisingly cohesive.

8 / 10

50 %

A somewhat confused album that is more a missing piece in a grander puzzle.