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.
In A State
UNKLE Lyrics
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'Cause all I seem to do is tempt my fate
Well I try every space
But all the while we're crushing at the gate
This time, this time
Reality struck me between the eyes
My mind is in a state
So I try and disappear
But there is only one way out of here
This time, this time
Reality struck me between the eyes
My mind is in a state
But all I need to do is change my pace
And I know there's fear to face
But happiness is firm in its embrace
This time.
The lyrics of UNKLE's song In A State are about being in a state of confusion and taking the wrong actions that invite trouble. The opening line, "My mind is in a state," expresses the singer’s feeling of being stuck and unable to figure things out. He remarks that everything he tries to do only ends up tempting his fate, implying that he’s making the same mistake over and over again. Regardless of how much he tries to avoid it, he feels that the gate is about to crush him.
The singer then describes a sudden realization that hits him "between the eyes" and further emphasizes the fact that his mind is in a state. He is constantly missing opportunities, and even when he tries to disappear or run away from his problems, there’s only one way out - to face his fears. The final lines suggest that happiness is achievable but that it comes with a cost; one must be willing to step out of their comfort zones by changing one’s pace to achieve it.
In summary, UNKLE's song, In A State, explores the theme of confusion, missed opportunities, and the importance of facing one's fears to achieve happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
My mind is in a state
I am feeling very uncertain and restless.
'Cause all I seem to do is tempt my fate
I feel like I am always taking risks and playing with danger.
Well I try every space
I have tried every possible thing to make things better.
But all the while we're crushing at the gate
Despite my efforts, I am not making any progress.
This time, this time
I hope this will be different.
Reality struck me between the eyes
I had a sudden moment of clarity.
'Cause everything I miss it comes too late
I always realize what I have missed only after it's too late to fix it.
So I try and disappear
I attempt to escape from reality.
But there is only one way out of here
I know that the only way to escape is to face my problems head-on.
This time, this time
I hope that now I will not run away from my problems.
But all I need to do is change my pace
I just need to slow down and take a different approach.
And I know there's fear to face
I am aware that there are things that I am afraid of.
But happiness is firm in its embrace
I know that if I face my fears, I will find true happiness.
This time.
I hope that this time I can face my fears and find happiness.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICHARD FILE, ANTONY GENN, JAMES LAVELLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind