Unknown Mortal Orchestra @Oxford Art Factory, Sydney(07/12/11)

Fri 9th Dec, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Ruban Nielson, front man and creator of Unknown Mortal Orchestra is a mild guy from Auckland, New Zealand, by way of Portland in the States. Polite and relatively quiet on stage – “So happy to see you all here on a Widnesday night” – there’s no obvious visual clue that this guy makes kick-arse surreal futuristic lo-fi psychedelic rock. But that he does and he does it with confidence, composure and a nonchalant cool.

The gig started with a slightly down-tempo Little Blu House. The drums (Julien Ehrich) were the first in the loop, then the bass (Jake Portrait) and finally the guitar tucked neatly under the front man’s armpit. Whether the height is for technique or for show, it didn’t matter, as the deftness with which it was played was absorbing.

The songs were nice and punchy. They managed to squeeze almost the entire album into the first half hour of the set. Thought Ballune, Strangers are Strange, Nerve Damage!, Jello & Juggernauts, How Can U Luv Me, Boy Witch and Ffunny Ffriends all got a going over. The audience was reserved, attentive and only really let loose for the band’s most familiar single Ffunny Ffrends.

Remaining faithful to the breaks used to create the album, the drums had a smooth hip-hop vibe. At the same time, there was enough variation to keep the drummer lively and the audience hooked. The bass was nice and funky, lending depth and rhythm. And above these elements, the guitar and vocals added multicolored texture. The instrumental solos that Nielson let loose showed depth to his musicianship; the boy sure can move his fingers.

Although on paper the three-piece is quite basic, the sound they create is intricate, with elements of psychedelia, indie-rock, hip-hop, surrealism and downright dancibiltiy all in combination to create a super fun jam.