Be The Morning – The Marines (Laughing Outlaw)

The Marines debut album is the product of a lengthy gestation leading to a hot summer spent in a rented workman’s cottage somewhere outside of Sydney. It would also appear that it is the product of a collection of very tasteful record collections.

Not that they are simply mimicking those high quality record collections, but there’s no denying that musicologist listeners are likely to spot strains of artists like Lou Reed, Wilco, Jeff Buckley, World Party and Radiohead threading through these songs.

I’m finding a lot to like about that list.

Thankfully The Marines manage to distill those flavors into something potent and intoxicating in its own right. This is music with not just pedigree but also with undeniable inspiration in its own right. Much of this comes from the songwriting, which is apparently largely the province of singer Dan K. He’s a daring writer who is willing to stretch the boundaries but not self consciously so. His unorthodox twists and turns seem to be the result of instinct in a similar way that an artist like Todd Rundgren or Brian Wilson might have been guided by the voices in their heads, rather than a deliberate attempt to re-produce an admired aesthetic.

The band that has gathered under the name The Marines seems completely empathetic to this approach.  They play very well, but more importantly they play with intelligence – which of course sometimes means knowing when to hold back, or even, not play at all. The Buckley-like Borderline is a case in point, whereas the title track, finds the same band getting all fuzzy and gritty like they were residents of Dirty Boulevard. Dreams remarkably manages to merge this approach with a Beach Boy style vocal approach.

A distinctive element of this band are the harmonies, which may include Dan K’s own contributions (which were apparently recorded post-tracking, in his car). On songs like Trouble the harmonies complement Dan K’s idiosyncratic lead vocals really well. His lead vocals themselves provide some amazing moments as he achieves a hypnotic falsetto to go with his gruffer semi-spoken work on other tracks.

It will be interesting to see what sort of reaction this album gets. By rights it should attract a fervent following and it’s hoped that word of mouth can bring it the attention it deserves.

 

The King Is Dead – The Decemberists (Capital)

The latest offering from The Decemberists is less conceptual, but no less satisfying, than previous releases. It’s a collection of songs that individually stand the test of independence and yet still constitute an album of integrity. The reference points are obvious and not even slightly disguised – early REM, Wilco, Neil Young (circa say After the Goldrush) and 10000 Maniacs.

What’s not to like?

It’s an album that rewards a variety of uses. It fits nicely into a comfortable armchair, with the lyric sheet being perused, but is just as useful in the car stereo on a trip down the coast.  I guess that implies that the lyrics, often regarded as somewhat scholarly, still reward close inspection, but if that isn’t your inclination you can use this music as a more instinctive type of companion.

Three songs feature Peter Buck and they are not hard to pick out – Calamity Song sounds like a close descendent of 7 Chinese Brothers while Down By The River borrows liberally from The One I Love.  He also appears on the albums opener Don’t Carry It All and while that doesn’t have such an obvious derivation, it’s just a strong way to open the album. It also features Gillian Welsh and Dave Rawlings, who both appear regularly throughout the album. On All Arise! The pairing of Decemberists’ Colin Meloy and Gillian Welsh almost enters into sublime Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood territory.

In some ways this is a ‘safe’ album in the sense that its doesn’t have a concept that has potential to alienate part of the audience, but that also could be interpreted as simply being an undeniably likeable set of songs. Again, I ask, what could possibly be wrong with that?

There’s a few songs here that are going to create yet more highlights in The Decemberists fantastic live set ( is going to be a live tour de force) and while the success of this album has projected The Decemberists into a higher commercial stratosphere it has done so with their integrity intact.  How many Billboard No. 1 albums can claim that?

It just shows what can be achieved when a band is given a series of albums to actually evolve. The King Is Dead is a satisfying step in that evolution and one that sees The Decemberists confirm their place as a band that matters enough for us to continue to care.

Wilco Return – Roger That

American alt-country but in reality just “cool” band Wilco will return to Australia next April for an east coast tour, continuing a loving relationship they have with audiences in these parts.

Dates have been announced for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane only at this stage

Wilco will be touring in support of the recently released self-titled album, their follow-up to 2007’s ‘Sky Blue Sky’.

The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar’s departure. Wilco’s lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt remaining from the original incarnation. Since early 2004, the other current members are guitarist Nels Cline, multi-instrumentalists Pat Sansone and Mikael Jorgensen, and drummer Glenn Kotche. Wilco has released seven studio albums, a live double album, and three collaborations: two with Billy Bragg, and one with The Minus 5.

Their discography incudes:

* A.M. (March 28, 1995)
* Being There (October 29, 1996)
* Summerteeth (March 9, 1999)
* Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (April 23, 2002)
* A Ghost Is Born (June 22, 2004)
* Kicking Television: Live in Chicago (November 15, 2005)
* Sky Blue Sky (May 15, 2007)
* Wilco (The Album) (June 30, 2009)

The second Sydney show is  at the intimate Factory Theatre the night after the bigger State Theatre show and tickets are packaged into a premium double ticket for the serious fan.

Dates are:

April 30, Brisbane, The Tivoli
May 1, Sydney, State Theatre
May 2, Sydney, Factory Theatre
May 5 & 6, Melbourne, The Forum

Neil Finn’s Seven World’s Collide Project Returns

Neil Finn recently announced a follow up to the acclaimed Seven Worlds Collide project, and together with members of the original lineup and other artists, he will record an album of entirely new material in support of international development organization Oxfam.

“Seven years ago I invited a few friends and fellow musicians to do a special series of concerts in New Zealand under the banner Seven Worlds Collide. The concerts were an amazing experience for all of us and we are delighted to have found an opportunity to gather again, this time to expand the concept and the lineup too,” said Finn. “What will make these sessions particularly meaningful is that all the proceeds of this recording will go to support the continuing great work of Oxfam International.”

Taking part from the original Seven Worlds Collide lineup will be Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien and Phil Selway, guitar supremo Johnny Marr, founder of The Smiths and current member of US alternative rock innovators Modest Mouse, Soul Coughing bassist Sebastian Steinberg, songwriter and violinist Lisa Germano, and Liam Finn. Other artists joining the project include Jeff Tweedy, John Stirrat, Glenn Kotche and Pat Sansone from Wilco, and New Zealand songwriters Bic Runga and Don McGlashan. Behind the mixing desk will be master recording engineer Jim Scott. More names will be added to the lineup in the coming weeks.

“We are honored to be working with Neil and so many other talented and committed artists on this project, many of whom have supported Oxfam over a number of years,” said Oxfam New Zealand Executive Director Barry Coates. “At a time when the number of people living in extreme poverty is growing, funds generated from this project will be urgently directed to those in need, providing opportunities and hope for a better future.”

The album will be recorded over the next few months in Auckland’s Roundhead Studios and is due for release in 2009.

While recording, the group will also do a couple of casual and intimate live performances. Monday, January 5, Tuesday January 6th and Wednesday January 7th, 2009 – at The Powerstation, Mt Eden Road, Auckland, NZ.

“Everyone is really excited about coming together again with a few new faces and extending the magic we created with Seven Worlds the first time round,” added Finn. “With such an amazing group of people, I’m excited about the music we’ll be making.”

The first 7 Worlds Collide was a live album released in 2001. It was a live recording culled from a series of five shows from April 2, 2001 to April 6, 2001 featuring Neil Finn & Friends recorded at the St. James Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand. Notable guests included Eddie Vedder, Johnny Marr, Ed O’Brien, Sebastian Steinberg, Phil Selway, Lisa Germano and Betchadupa. The title of this album is derived from the line “Seven worlds will collide / whenever I am by your side” from Crowded House’s 1993 single “Distant Sun.”

Oxfam is an international development organization working to end poverty and injustice – to bring real and lasting change to the lives of people living in poverty and to create a safer, fairer and more sustainable world.

Oxfam believes that poverty is not inevitable. Instead, poverty results from unjust policies, and the denial of basic rights and opportunities. There are 13 Oxfam affiliates working with communities on the ground in over 100 countries. Oxfam puts all their effort and expertise into saving lives, developing programmes that empower people, and campaigning for lasting change.