Never Never Land
by UNKLE
  • Record Label: Mo Wax
  • Release Date: Oct 26, 2004
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16

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  1. sebas
    Feb 16, 2004
    10
    another great RECORD like, ie Sonic Youth´s Sister - or DJ Spooky´s DEad Songs - it´s all about mood and vibe - of course , has not single , not radio stuff and definitely not the bland chill out stuff you can hear with shuffle while you do the dishes - NO - this is a record - from beggining, (setting the mood with that guy singing "everything is changes") - then you another great RECORD like, ie Sonic Youth´s Sister - or DJ Spooky´s DEad Songs - it´s all about mood and vibe - of course , has not single , not radio stuff and definitely not the bland chill out stuff you can hear with shuffle while you do the dishes - NO - this is a record - from beggining, (setting the mood with that guy singing "everything is changes") - then you have to walk along the songs, with your headphones along the nightly sidewalks - hearing - "now even in heaven there are angels carrying heavenly weapons" - sounds very contemporary btw - ah, emotion is back - this is as deep as tricky´s "premillenium tension" or stereotyp´s "my sound" - if you want to listen to a real album, a real work of art made by humans, although using computers maybe , well this is for you - if you want to keep your ears well fed with non invasive generic stuff, well maybe it isnt.… Expand
  2. PoldoG.
    Jan 30, 2005
    10
    Whaaat??!? Only one thing. This is by far one of the best CDs of the year 2003.
  3. MarkT
    Nov 4, 2003
    7
    Unlike many big dance acts Unkle's sound has kept on mutating, never staying too long in one musical place. Just as Massive Attack's sound has changed over the last few years from warm urban/hip hop to icy breakbeat/techno so has the sound of Unkle. The arrival of Richard File into the Unkle set-up has acted as a catalyst to in-house songwriting that has created a more subtle, Unlike many big dance acts Unkle's sound has kept on mutating, never staying too long in one musical place. Just as Massive Attack's sound has changed over the last few years from warm urban/hip hop to icy breakbeat/techno so has the sound of Unkle. The arrival of Richard File into the Unkle set-up has acted as a catalyst to in-house songwriting that has created a more subtle, softer approach than the previous DJ Shadow blend of cut up, Trip Hop breaks. Overall though the same epic sound remains and guests such as Joel Cadbury, and Ian Brown help to keep the album ticking along nicely. The best tracks are Glow and In a State, whilst the collaborations with Josh Homme, Cocker and Eno are indeed a little disappointing. Overall an interesting effort that can get a little overblown in places with celebrity ego and hot air. … Expand
  4. Cybergroove.ca
    Jan 26, 2005
    7
    DJ Spooky´s getting in a Peter Pan mood but respects the overall sound production quality of an ambiant CD. This is not a commercial album but any song that could merge into Ozzy's ''Changes'' is the genius of the month ! The most exquisite song on the album is definitly GLOW.
  5. MilanG
    Apr 17, 2005
    8
    Wery refresing album...
  6. Erich
    Jan 24, 2005
    10
    It has been a long wait in the U.S. for a new UNKLE album and Never, Never, Land does not disappoint. The album is tremendous with 3D's Invasion, Ian Brown on Reign, and Mani on In a State. The album is deep and varied as You listen to Panic Attack you feel as if you may have one, but it is great or you can slow down with What Are You To Me? The album is great Lavelle and co. have It has been a long wait in the U.S. for a new UNKLE album and Never, Never, Land does not disappoint. The album is tremendous with 3D's Invasion, Ian Brown on Reign, and Mani on In a State. The album is deep and varied as You listen to Panic Attack you feel as if you may have one, but it is great or you can slow down with What Are You To Me? The album is great Lavelle and co. have put together a memorable album.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. AllMusic
    60
    A work of intense drama but little importance.
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  2. Stylus Magazine
    84
    Never, Never, Land exposes Lavelle and File as, surprisingly, excellent songwriters with an ear for a good chorus and a knack to fitting performers and material together.
    Read full review
  3. Uncut
    40
    A lush but unthrilling album. [Nov 2003, p.122]
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