THE UNTHANKS

Last

2011-05-11

The Unthanks is a family affair featuring Rachel and Becky Unthank (their real last name) on vocals and Rachel’s husband Adrian McNally on vocals, piano and drums. Chris Price and Niopha Keegan fill out the rest of this Northumberland, UK band.

The Unthanks broke out to critical claim with their album The Bairns in 2007, earning them a Mercury prize nomination.

Comprised mostly of cover songs and reinterpretations of old British folk tunes, the songs carry with them the weight of history and their influences including a great cover of a Tom Waits song off of Alice called “No One Knows I’m gone” (track 6).

Recommended tracks: Queen of Hearts (3), Last (4), Starless (9)

Reviewed by Devon Cunningham

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 02/2006

    JENNY LEWIS with THE WATSON TWINS
    Rabbit Fur Coat

  • reviewed 05/2007

    Sonny Smith
    Fruitvale

  • reviewed 05/2007

    SONNY SMITH
    Fruitvale

  • reviewed 05/2009

    LEONARD COHEN
    SELECTIONS FROM LIVE IN LONDON

  • reviewed 01/2012

    VARIOUS ARTISTS
    Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan

  • reviewed 06/2011

    PUTNAM SMITH
    We Could Be Beekeepers

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.