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 02/2015

    Watching for Foxes
    Until Winter Comes (EP)

  • reviewed 01/2004

    The Mavericks
    The Mavericks

  • reviewed 02/2006

    NEKO CASE
    Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

  • reviewed 04/2008

    A.A. BONDY
    American Hearts

  • reviewed 09/2006

    AVETT BROTHERS
    The Gleam

  • reviewed 05/2009

    LEONARD COHEN
    SELECTIONS FROM LIVE IN LONDON

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.