Unbelievable Truth - Roadside #2 & Misc. Music

There’s a haunting familiarity to Roadside #2, the lead track from Unbelievable Truth’s freshly re-released rarities compilation Misc. Music. For long-time fans, it's like discovering a forgotten treasure. Nearly 30 years after it was first recorded as a b-side to the sorrythankyou single "Agony," Roadside #2 feels anything but dated. Its gentle acoustic reverie, anchored by warm synth bass and Andy Yorke’s evocative vocal delivery, unfolds with an emotional crescendo that is quintessential Unbelievable Truth—delicate, introspective, and quietly devastating.

The track’s craftsmanship is reminiscent of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová’s Falling Slowly, from the acclaimed 2007 film Once. Both songs share an understated beauty, built on simplicity but brimming with emotional complexity. Roadside #2 emerges as a heartfelt piece that elevates itself through its raw honesty, much like the rest of Unbelievable Truth’s discography.

The album Misc. Music, originally released on CD shortly after the band’s breakup in the early 2000s, captures the heart of an indie band that made waves in the UK music scene. While it comprises mostly b-sides and rarities, the 18-track compilation holds together as an album in its own right. Tracks like Disaster, Heaven Sent Me, and Unwanted Gift still sound remarkably fresh, a testament to the band’s timeless melodic sensibilities and lyrical depth.

For those unfamiliar with Unbelievable Truth, the band, formed by Andy Yorke, Jason Moulster, and Nigel Powell in Oxford during the mid-90s, quickly became a key player in the indie scene. Their introspective lyrics and melancholy acoustic sound earned them critical acclaim with albums Almost Here and sorrythankyou. The band's ability to blend raw emotion with melodic subtlety is what made them stand out then, and it's what still resonates today.

The re-release of Misc. Music onto streaming platforms brings these hidden gems to a new generation. The album’s highlight, Roadside #2, encapsulates what made Unbelievable Truth influential in the first place—their ability to create slow-burning, poignant beauty that lingers long after the song ends.

Whether you're an old fan revisiting these tracks or a newcomer discovering the band's quieter moments, Misc. Music is definitively worth a spin. And with a new album set for release in 2025, this is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with, or discover, one of the most emotive voices of the 90s indie scene.

Gigs

16/11/24 Cavern Club, Exeter

17/11/24 Shiiine On Festival, Minehead