From the sleeve notes for the latest release End Titles...Stories For Film released in July 2008, the current line-up is stated as James Lavelle and Pablo Clements, also a member of the Psychonauts.
The original line-up was James Lavelle, Tim Goldsworthy (now a member of DFA) and Kudo (Major Force West, Skylab). This incarnation released several EPs and singles, usually involving collaborations with other Mo'Wax affiliated artists.
In 1998, after the departure of Goldsworthy and Kudo, Lavelle enlisted US producer DJ Shadow to help complete UNKLE's debut album, "Psyence Fiction". On this album they collaborated with a variety of guest artists including Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Mike D (Beastie Boys), Badly Drawn Boy and Richard Ashcroft (The Verve). The album contained songs which merged indie-rock with hip hop.
In 2003 UNKLE released "Never, Never, Land". At this time UNKLE consisted of Lavelle and new collaborator Richard File, and the album also featured Ian Brown (The Stone Roses), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), Mani (The Stone Roses, Primal Scream) and others.
A third album entitled "War Stories" was released in July 2007. It features collaborations with Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Ian Astbury (The Cult), Autolux, Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), The Duke Spirit, and Gavin Clark, and is far more strongly rock-influenced than previous releases. The album was preceded by an EP, Nights Temper, of which a limited pressing was released in May 2007.
Lavelle has also released several mix albums and remixes under his own name and under the name UNKLEsounds (together with Richard File).
UNKLE is known for remixing music from artists such as Explosions in the Sky, Massive Attack, and Oasis.
Awake the Unkind
UNKLE Lyrics
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In the wake of my only
Big mistake
And all I do is think
We look inside me
To find another take
Well it's make
Or break
And you look
And you find
And you wake
The unkind
Guess the stake
In my mind
Is driven by your kind
I know you're stranded
For the sake of [you for me]
You take
And all you do is sink
Into the picture
Of another scandalous creature
And all you do is sink
'Cause you look
And you find
And you wake
The unkind
Guess the stake
In my mind
Is driven by your kind
When you look
You will find
That the stake
Is entwined
In your fake
Calloused mind
Nothing but delight
The song "Awake the Unkind" by UNKLE tells a story of a person who is reflecting on their past mistakes and how they are still haunted by them. They acknowledge that they have hurt someone that means a lot to them and they can't seem to escape the guilt and shame associated with it. The person is struggling to find a new perspective, a different way to look at the situation, but they ultimately feel trapped in their own thoughts.
The lyrics suggest that there is a lot of tension and conflict between the two individuals. The second verse speaks to the other person being "scandalous" and "sinking," suggesting they have their own demons to fight. However, the singer recognizes that they too are not blameless in the situation, as the final line of the song suggests that there was initially something that brought them together, "nothing but delight."
The song conveys a sense of melancholy and regret, with a haunting musical backdrop that adds to the emotional intensity. UNKLE masterfully combines elements of rock, hip hop and electronic music to create a unique and powerful sound that matches the tone of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I think you're standing
I believe you are present in this situation
In the wake of my only
In the aftermath of my sole experience
Big mistake
A major error
And all I do is think
I continuously ponder
We look inside me
I examine my inner self
To find another take
To discover a new perspective
Well it's make
This is a crucial moment
Or break
It can result in a success or failure
Got one chance to take
Only one opportunity to act
And you look
You observe
And you find
You discover
And you wake
You raise awareness of
The unkind
The unpleasant reality
Guess the stake
I assume the risk
In my mind
Psychologically
Is driven by your kind
Motivated by individuals like you
I know you're stranded
I am aware that you are in a difficult situation
For the sake of [you for me]
Doing it for the benefit of our relationship
You take
You endure
And all you do is sink
You continually decline
Into the picture
To the point of being involved
Of another scandalous creature
Of someone or something that causes trouble
And all you do is sink
You just keep getting worse
'Cause you look
Because you examine
And you find
And you discover
And you wake
And you raise awareness of
The unkind
The unpleasant reality
Guess the stake
I assume the risk
In my mind
Psychologically
Is driven by your kind
Motivated by individuals like you
When you look
If you observe
You will find
You will discover
That the stake
That the risk
Is entwined
Is intertwined
In your fake
In your insincere
Calloused mind
Desensitized way of thinking
Nothing but delight
Nothing but joy or pleasure
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTONY GENN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind