Unbelievable Truth
Almost Here
[Virgin]
Rating: 5.0
Unbelievable Truth is Thom Yorke's brother's band. Okay, that's out of the way.
Naturally, that's the main reason most people will pick this up. But the most
shocking thing about this release is that this guy can carry a tune like an angel.
It makes one wonder what the hell Mrs. Yorke put in her kids' mushy peas. Of
course, Li'l Yorke-- known to the masses as Andy-- does lack the intensity, tension,
and questionable sanity of Brother Thom of Radiohead. Besides, who wants to be
continually touched by an "Angel?" Thom is more of a demonic pixie.
It's not surprisingly that Unbelievable Truth sounds like a watered-down Radiohead,
to some degree. They play sylvan, introspective soft-rock that's pretty and
pleasant, but too mono-emotional (read: sad). Driven mostly by piano and
acoustic guitar, these tunes slowly rise like steam off a cup of joe on a
sweater-weather day. In fact, you'd have to on some serious barbiturates, in the midst
of heartbreak, or bedridden to listen to this record from start to finish.
But, hey, Radiohead weren't exactly knockin' socks off with Pablo Honey.
Hopefully, Unbelievable Truth will score a big hit (most likely on AOR or
Top 40 radio), and we'll see Andy Yorke become paranoid from the fame,
thereby allowing him to record better songs. After all, these emotionally
stable white guys haven't had much musical innovation to offer as of late.
-Brent DiCrescenzo