Apple Music Rank: 94
Album: Untrue
Artist: Burial
Year: 2007
Genre: Electronic
Was I familiar with Burial? No. In fact, as I’m writing this I’m still not sure if the artist’s name is Burial and the album title is Untrue, or if it’s the other way around. I’m about 80% certain I have it correct.
Had I heard Untrue before? No.
Thoughts on Untrue: I once heard my brother describe a song as sounding like it should be playing in the lobby of a W hotel. I won’t name the song or the artist because I love both of them, but I’m curious if he remembers. That’s exactly how I feel about this album. Chill, stylish dance music. It’s the kind of music playing in the club right before John Wick kills a bunch of coked up Eastern European gangsters in front of sweaty, scantily clad supermodels. Or better yet, it’s the kind of music that plays while you’re falling asleep and there are soothing graphics on your screen.
I’m actually enjoying this album far more than I expected. The entire album is a vibe. There vocals aren’t live, they’re sampled. It’s like a really dark Dilla album. I know there are songs because I see track numbers and titles, but to me this album is one track that ebbs and flows. The songs have names like “Near Dark” and “Ghost Hardware”, which is predictably sullen given that the artist’s name is Burial. Also one called “Dog Shelter”? Anyway, cool album. Not the kind of music I seek out, but I feel like my cool rating went up listening to this.
Favorite track: Most of this music flowed together and sounded similar so it was difficult to choose, but the title track stood out. I already mentioned him once, but there was definitely some Dilla influence on the drums on “Untrue”…or Burial was just unintentionally sloppy with his drum programming, but I doubt it.
Will I listen to Untrue again? This probably sounds contradictory at this point because I have enjoyed this album, but the only situation where I can see listening to this again is if I want background music while I’m falling asleep. I just can’t see riding in my car or sitting down to listen to music and thinking, “I’m gonna put on that Burial album.” Respect, though. Glad I checked it out.
Would I buy it on vinyl? Let’s put it this way, I wouldn’t spend money on it, but if someone gave it to me I wouldn’t return it. I can see sitting in the dark and having a drink to this in the right situation.
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