'And Then We Saw Land...' - Tunng Album Review

*AS FEATURED IN SYDNEY'S Mx MAGAZINE*

Picture this: One of those annoying young couples that are totally in love and immersed in themselves, laughing, caressing and kissing each other as they head off on their first ever road trip, innocently unaware this long uncharted period of time together will either make or break their whole relationship. This is the album they would be playing in their car.

Tunng have brought together beautiful harmonies, soft vocals and excellent acoustic sounds backed by a myriad of instruments ranging from piano to banjo to synthesiser, however overall it all comes across a little too sickly sweet. While the arrangements are daring and complex a lot of it gets lost in the mix. At times the quiet love-laden vocals are almost inaudible under the deluge of layered instruments that are thrust at you through the fold. And yet somehow, despite all this, the songs end up sounding the same, their having used the same formula throughout the album just with different means. The one song that truly stands out - October - does so only because it’s almost a mirror image of Simon and Garfunkles’ version of ‘Scarborough Fair’.

Great changes were afoot in the Tunng camp of late and you can tell. Original singer, songwriter and group founder Sam Genders is no longer with the band meaning the induction of a new lyricist and lead vocalist. Though these tasks have since been fulfilled by two of the remaining five members the album comes across as confused and chaotic. Though there is artistic merit in their work and the talent is definitely there, ‘And Then We Saw Land…’ certainly does give the feeling Tunng is a band lost at sea without their Captain.

'July Flame' - Laura Veirs Album Review

*AS FEATURED IN SYDNEY'S Mx MAGAZINE*

Laura Veirs’ latest work is a sweet and soothing album – the perfect soundtrack to a lazy afternoon in the sun, watching day turn to night and drinking in the sweet Summer air. With an array of talented guest musicians ranging from legendary arranger Stephen Barber to the fantastic Jim James of My Morning Jacket ‘July Flame’ really shows the full extent of Laura’s talent.

Her sweet-as-treacle vocals are beautifully harmonised and well accompanied by her cool and confident guitar and banjo playing. String arrangements and piano score hover in the background giving the album a wistful feel, like a cool change on a hot day. Produced by long time musical cohort Tucker Martine, Veirs describes the album as coming from a ‘…searching, soulful place’ and it does indeed take you away to memories of childhood Summers, trips to the park and scorching days spent swimming. It seems after 6 albums together Veirs and Martine have found their feet in this stripped back and simple yet engaging album.

Stand out tracks include Wide Eyed Legless, When You Give Your Heart, Summer Is The Champion and the title track July Flame. An honest album that floats through the air like shafts of sunlight through the curtains. Sweet, soulful and not to be missed.

'Transference' - Spoon Album Review

*AS FEATURED IN SYDNEY'S Mx MAGAZINE*

It’s been a roller coaster ride for Spoon since the band formed in their hometown of Austin, Texas, in 1994 and Transference is no different.

Opening with the haunting Before Destruction the album then punches in with use of reverb effects on the next song title questioning Is Love Forever? – A song that ends as abruptly as a relationship doomed. They take us into the subconscious in Mystery Zone where fate and destiny collide over use of eerie synthesiser and guitar effects. And Who Makes Your Money lays bare the reality of who works for whom in a world of capitalism and hierarchy.

The stand out tracks are to follow, with Written In Reverse already being released on 7” in the US and UK. The song returns to their indie rock roots with nice guitar breaks and hammer-home chords, perpetuating the songs theme of hindsight being 20:20 and seeing people for what they really are. I Saw The Light continues on this theme, as well as the simple yet effective rock elements that Spoon are cherished for. The stand out heavier track.

They coin a sweet modern lullaby in Goodnight Laura, and bare their souls with the reminiscent Out Go The Lights and Nobody Gets Me But You. Third stand out track of the album is Got Nuffin, releasing us from ‘…darkness and shadows… emptiness and hang up’s’.

The album can sometimes appear disjointed but their simple rough guitars and use of background piano and synthesiser hold it together and drive it home, with occasional strings adding to the drama. And though Transference seems to deal with a lot of love, loss and relationship issues – something the band are not so known for – they’ve avoided the soppy feel with their patented intricate and descriptive lyrics. All in all it’s another fine slab from Spoon.