True Entertainment

by Dutch Uncles

Overview

Returning from a six-year hiatus -- during which time bassist Robin Richards devoted himself to his work as a composer for film and other projects -- Dutch Uncles sound as predictably unpredictable as ever on True Entertainment. Following the brash, politically charged Big Balloon, the band revisits their poised, polished side while reflecting on the meaning of creativity and success. This smoothness helps them pull off feats like alluding to the Killers' "Mr. Brightside" in the lyrics to the album's title track while borrowing from Yellow Magic Orchestra, Roxy Music, the Blue Nile, and Eno-era Talking Heads in its music. Along with dropping these musical footnotes, Dutch Uncles prove the mix of brains and melody championed by the angular and indie dance bands of the 2000s still has plenty of life in it on True Entertainment. Nowhere is this clearer than on "Tropigala (2 to 5)," a bouncy, bittersweet disco-pop gem that features backing vocals from Anna Prior of Metronomy, another survivor of that era. However, Dutch Uncles are thankfully too strange to be truly slick, no matter how glossy or hooky their songs are; there aren't many other acts that would include a lyric like "read my muppet lips" on a track as catchy as the plastic disco-funk of "Poppin'." As always, Duncan Wallis' shivery vibrato helps set the band further apart from the pack on eloquent expressions of doubt and anxiety like "I'm Not Your Dad" or "In Salvia." Despite this nerviness, the band brings a sense of fun to the album -- and songs such as "Dead Letter" in particular -- that suits them well. Sophisticated, witty, but not too clever for genuine emotion, True Entertainment often feels like a culmination of Dutch Uncles' music. At its best, it finds them growing into the kind of cult-favorite act that would have inspired them at the beginning of their journey -- and that makes it a true testament to their creativity. ~ Heather Phares

Product Details

Release Date:	03/10/2023
Label:	Memphis Industries
UPC:	5056340104989
Rank:	152734

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dutch Uncles   Primary Artist
Stephie Parker   Flute
Nick Middleton   Chimes
Anna Prior   Vocals
Robin Richards   Bass,Synthesizer,Keyboards,Guitar
Henry Broadhead   Percussion,Synthesizer
Peter Broadhead   Synthesizer,Electronics,Guitar
Neil Wright   Guitar
Jonathan Higgs   Vocals
Andrew Proudfoot   Drums,Percussion
Duncan Wallis   Piano,Vocals

Technical Credits

Henry Broadhead   Producer,Engineer,Mixing
Dr. Me   Artwork
Robin Richards   Composer
Peter Broadhead   Composer
Matt Colton   Mastering
Dutch Uncles   Producer
Neil Wright   Producer
Andrew Proudfoot   Mixing
Duncan Wallis   Composer,Lyricist