More of the same – plenty of substance, but not heaps of quality yet!
Yet being the key word here…fingers crossed the next 2 months new releases will be as good as they look on paper!
Cheers
LF
LF
Monthly Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/user/1246753886/playlist/4iZzFCfYdwVaxWJCSCpYX9
Albums
Artist: The Go-Betweens
Album: 16 Lovers Lane
Year: 1988
Year: 1988
Similar Artists: Many indie pop acts that we love today have
drawn inspiration from this record
Many things are discussed over Christmas lunch and if your
family is anything like mine then you’ll likely wake up on boxing day and
remember perhaps only half of what was debated at length, what idiotic claims
you made or probably who drunk most of the sparkling shiraz! Fortunately one
thing I did remember this Christmas was cousins Greg and Ash preaching at
length about the great Australian album that is 16 Lovers Lane; and admittedly, this wasn’t the first time I had
been privy to such propaganda so perhaps it was time I had a listen. And no
points for guessing that it was an instant match to my auditory likings!!
The Go-Betweens are not only an Australian Indie Pop band,
(yes – indie pop coming out of Australia seems bizarre I know!) they are widely
recognised as playing a guiding hand in the early indie pop music scene worldwide.
A quick google search will reveal many current indie pop bands listing The
Go-Betweens as a major influence in their music today; these include favourites
of mine such as Allo Darlin’ and Belle & Sebastian.
While it is important to reflect on the band as a whole, it is also critical to note the importance of what many will describe as their best and most influential record 16 Lovers Lane. The album was released in 1988, the sixth from the band and the first with new bass player John Willsteed. The Brisbane band was still fronted by two mates and founding members Robert Forster & Grant McLennan, with Lindy Morrison and Amanda Brown on drums and violin/oboe respectively. There was not any single factor that made this album far superior than previous records, however it is documented that the bands move from London back to Australia and some troubled relationships effected both the song writing and the music itself. Similarly, from all reports the bands new bass player Willsteed had a significant effect on most tracks on the record.
While it is important to reflect on the band as a whole, it is also critical to note the importance of what many will describe as their best and most influential record 16 Lovers Lane. The album was released in 1988, the sixth from the band and the first with new bass player John Willsteed. The Brisbane band was still fronted by two mates and founding members Robert Forster & Grant McLennan, with Lindy Morrison and Amanda Brown on drums and violin/oboe respectively. There was not any single factor that made this album far superior than previous records, however it is documented that the bands move from London back to Australia and some troubled relationships effected both the song writing and the music itself. Similarly, from all reports the bands new bass player Willsteed had a significant effect on most tracks on the record.
The album encapsulates incredibly what I believe to be some
key elements of indie pop as a genre; lyrically the songs are littered with
stories of heartbreak and love, whilst musically it has everything from
captivating guitar hooks and spine tingling string arrangements to haunting
vocal harmonies. Album opener ‘Love Goes On!’ is a perfect example of this with
the line “…sometimes girl when I’m
lonely, this is how I think about you…” setting the tone for what appears
to be a weary love ballad of sorts.
‘Quiet Heart’ adds harmonica into the mix and delivers
poignantly another story of broken love with the point emphasised by a
beautiful closure to the song with a striking channel of violins. ‘Love Is a
Sign’ drives a wonderful guitar riff and not only exemplifies the great start
to the album, but shows the strong partnership that Forster and McLennan have.
Their musical synchronicity is fascinating, particularly so after six albums
together as it continue to grow on this record.
‘You Can’t Say No Forever’ and ‘The Devils Eye’ lead us
nicely into probably what is the most recognisable track from The Go-Betweens,
that being ‘Streets of Your Town’. It is hard for me to speak about this song
as I heard it may times growing up and as often the case when you’re young, you
just take things for granted. This song was of course instantly recognisable,
but it wasn’t til I actually listened that I realised how much of a great track
it really is; no wonder it was played heavily throughout TV ads and what I once
deemed “oldies” radio stations!
As the record continues, it is easy to see why so many bands
wanted to emulate what The Go-Betweens were able to effortlessly achieve.
Tracks like ‘Clouds’ and ‘Was There Anything I Could Do’ possess staple indie
pop elements with such ease – none more so than the gripping violin from Brown.
‘Was There Anything I Could Do’ is close to the most upbeat song on the LP but
it is her violin that sets its apart from other tracks.
‘I’m All Right’ and ‘Dive For Your Memory’ close the album
off in a more sombre fashion and it’s almost like Forster and McLennan knew
that this was going to be it for the band. As history tells us, these two
sacked the band and called it quits after 18 months of touring this record –
such an incredible shame and one that is still almost impossible to believe.
What this does however is add some more flavour to an already tasteful recipe
of a ground-breaking indie pop band from Brisbane. A must listen…..
Artist: Dick Diver
Album: Melbourne, Florida
Year: 2015
Similar Artists: Real Estate, Twerps, Literature, The Go Betweens (haha!)
My Rating: 7/10
Album: Melbourne, Florida
Year: 2015
Similar Artists: Real Estate, Twerps, Literature, The Go Betweens (haha!)
My Rating: 7/10
From the first chord of the opening track ‘Waste The
Alphabet,’ it is blatantly clear what we are in for here; a sharp, mischievous
forty minutes worth of catchy indie-pop. Something not too dissimilar to
Literature’s first record I hear you say (!!) and yes, you’re pretty well spot
on.
Melbourne’s Dick Diver have been making some waves locally for a while now, and with this their third LP, Melbourne, Florida might just be enough to make them crack it abroad. And why the hell not with excellent songs such as ‘Tearing The Posters Down’ – definitely the best song on the record.
Melbourne’s Dick Diver have been making some waves locally for a while now, and with this their third LP, Melbourne, Florida might just be enough to make them crack it abroad. And why the hell not with excellent songs such as ‘Tearing The Posters Down’ – definitely the best song on the record.
The use of horns throughout the album really sets them aside
from a lot of similar bands and it is the slow builds like in ‘Leftovers’ that
make their music ambient without getting carried away. ‘Beat Me Up (Talk To A
Counsellor)’ is a cheeky 2 minute number that will have your hips swinging, just
as ‘Competition’ will with its reggae influenced drum beat.
This is a great record that will take you by surprise and
will leave a great taste in your mouth as you carry on with whatever you may
have been doing before you hit play….
Artist:
Laura Marling
Album: Short Movie
Album: Short Movie
Year:
2015
Similar Artists: First Aid Kit, Lisa Mitchell, Regina Spektor
My Rating 6.5/10
Sometimes for one reason or another, things hit us and ignite every sense possible, whilst other times no matter how hard we try, it appears impossible to even crack into one of these senses. When we listen to music, we obviously do so for various reasons; to fill a room void of conversation, to pass the time, to drift our mind elsewhere or simply to dance and be merry. Different artists allow us to channel into these motives for listening to music, and often, our favourite artists allow us to engage many of these channels at any given point of time.
Laura Marling in her charismatic soothing ways, has been able to provide a means of relaxation and joy through her folk laden, country-esk melodies. 2013’s Once I Was An Eagle was a great example of this, all be it on the longer end of sixty minutes; the way Marling at times was able to jump from talking to singing really embodied this ability to transport relaxation to joy and crafted nicely what was a solid record.
There is much of the same through Short Movie however I find myself struggling to really be won over, or like I mentioned above, have the large majority of my senses tapped into. The music if anything has been wound up a notch with the greater use of electronic guitars and has also been self produced by Marling for the first time in her career; yet still the record hasn’t quite jelled with me entirely.
Similar Artists: First Aid Kit, Lisa Mitchell, Regina Spektor
My Rating 6.5/10
Sometimes for one reason or another, things hit us and ignite every sense possible, whilst other times no matter how hard we try, it appears impossible to even crack into one of these senses. When we listen to music, we obviously do so for various reasons; to fill a room void of conversation, to pass the time, to drift our mind elsewhere or simply to dance and be merry. Different artists allow us to channel into these motives for listening to music, and often, our favourite artists allow us to engage many of these channels at any given point of time.
Laura Marling in her charismatic soothing ways, has been able to provide a means of relaxation and joy through her folk laden, country-esk melodies. 2013’s Once I Was An Eagle was a great example of this, all be it on the longer end of sixty minutes; the way Marling at times was able to jump from talking to singing really embodied this ability to transport relaxation to joy and crafted nicely what was a solid record.
There is much of the same through Short Movie however I find myself struggling to really be won over, or like I mentioned above, have the large majority of my senses tapped into. The music if anything has been wound up a notch with the greater use of electronic guitars and has also been self produced by Marling for the first time in her career; yet still the record hasn’t quite jelled with me entirely.
None
the less, there are some definite moments here worth listening to. Track two ‘False
Hope’ provides so melody, whilst ‘Strange’ opens up that great little talking
to singing trait that Laura Marling does so well. ‘Easy’ and ‘Gurdjieff’s
Daughter’ portray two different styles of guitar playing, but both are very
very likeable, as is the title track ‘Short Movie’ which unleashes some passion
both lyrically and musically.
Unfortunately,
for whatever reason, this one hasn’t hit the highs of previous efforts from
Marling, but don’t be fooled into thinking that it isn’t worth listening to!!
Singles
Artist: The Decemberists
Single: Cavalry Captain
Year: 2015
From The Album: What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World
From The Album: What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World
A chance encounter with a work colleague on the tram led discussions
to music (what a surprise!) and a great recommendation came to check out The
Decemberists. Upon investigation it became pretty clear that this was I band I
should be into, but with 7 LP’s to their name, the decision was tough as to
where I start.
Logic took me to their most recent release and this
particular track is very good. Anything that opens with a smothering of horns
and has harmonies layered throughout is always going to be a good track in my
eyes!!
The album has a number of other good songs and probably will
keep getting better with more time over the next month…..
The Decemberists introduced themselves to me as I was driving my old van; long since deceased, across the stark and arid landscape that connects Australia’s southwest with its southeastern states. Crossing the Nullarbor Plain can be an arduous journey for some but for me it represented the final stage of a trip around Australia that I had undertaken on my own. Fortunately I enjoy my own company. The track that bounded out of the speakers to hold me captivated was called Here I Dreamt I was an Architect, and it so captivated me that I had to pull over and wait for the announcer to give the details of the song so that I would not lose it forever among the deep red empty spaces we so often associate with the Australian interior. [1]
ReplyDeleteStill, I think it is odd that some music can aesthetically arrest us to such a degree that we feel the need to hold on to it, posses it, mark its part in our emotional lives in such a manner that we continue to come back to it again and again. Why should this be the case? What is it about a given song such as the one described here that pushes those immediate and unmistakable buttons in our mind?
At least one answer would have to do with how we recognize that which is most familiar to us, despite having heard the song for the first time and then not hearing it again for at least a few weeks after settling back into Melbourne. It is no coincidence that both Collin Meloy, front man for The Decemberists, and I, front man for nothing at all, shared a love for The Smiths whose vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr had created a sound that delivered a strong sense of nostalgia for me and a crucial musical influence for Colin Meloy.
Still, mere pattern recognition and a bit of nostalgia are not enough to sustain the enjoyment of an entire oeuvre, something else is obviously needed and whatever that is I think that The Decemberists deliver it in spades. They are storytellers; as an aside Colin Meloy’s sister is a novelist, and they tell us stories that remind us of the least amongst us and they tell these stories well.
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy0NySwzDzY