Reviews - Week 42

Various Artists

Matinee Autumn Assortment

Matinee Records

The days of autumn may seem like a lifetime away, but don’t worry. Settle down and listen to Matinnee’s Autumn collection and find yourself transported back in time to the days when skies were blue, leaves were brown and the light was soft. A hazy, happy time, before the cold weather and icy rain really had got a chance to eat away at you.

The CD features many of the remarkably talented bands signed to the label, each contributing a song which gels together fluently and freely. It is a cheerful mix of pop from the likes of the Would-be-goods, the Pines and Pipas which is flexiable enough to accomadate the more thoughtful and pensive contribution, “Autumn” from Harper Lee and “I’ve seen Mexico”, an arid song with a dry country edge from Mexico contributed by Airport Girl.

The CD features an exclusive Slipslide song which tells the tail of a romance that dies for the sake of a career. Considering the subject matter the tune surprisingly positive. The Lucksmiths contribution “After the after party” from their new EP “A little distraction” bounces onto the scene with typically clever lyrics backed by a catchy tune.

All in all the CD would make a good purchase for anyone wishing to experience the magic which is Matinee Recordings.

Rachel Queen

The Lucksmiths

A little distraction

Matinee Records

One day we'll be poor no more!
I'm almost sure enough
Before then let's not let successlessness
get the best of us, my love

Reason #23 why you should like the Lucksmiths: they almost have faith.

Reasons 1 to 22 vary depending on the circumstances but to give you a general idea I'd say the Lucksmiths are fun and like no one but themselves: their lyrics are witty to no end, heart-warmingly heart-felt (and they rhyme) and Tali White's singing just keeps getting better. Oh and they've got cute Australian accents, a good dress-sense and decent haircuts, not to mention they write catchy, exhilarating rock 'n' roll pop songs that are just perfect for singing (and bouncing) along.

You probably know all that already, though. And if you don't you're a lost case I don't know how to tell you about them (but I'll try): imagine the indiepop equivelant of the Modern Lovers... If the idea appeals to you, when you're done imagining download go out and buy 'A good kind of nervous' (or 'Staring at the sky' or 'Where were we' or 'Why that doesn't surprise me' because, yes, they have realesed loads of stuff already) and learn to marvel at the wonder that are the Lucksmiths along with the rest of us.

Alternatively (and seeing as I am supposed to be talking about it) you can buy 'A little distraction' too. It could turn out to be a good idea, actually: it's a nice, well-made, sweet mini-lp with a little bit of everything that makes the Lucksmiths who they are.

There's a song by Tali, two by Mark and three by Marty (because the Lucksmiths are a trio who share songwriting duties). There are sweet, laid-back songs to rock you to sleep ('Moving' and 'A little distraction'), a song about going out and coming back in ( 'After the after party') and a song about staying in in the first place ('Honey honey honey'). There's also 'Transportine', which is about travelling, difficult words and the wrong side of the Thames and finally my personal favourite, 'Sucesslessness' - an upbeat, fairly bouncy, sweetly contagious affair reminiscent of my favourite Lucksmiths tunes of the past. (And which, let us not forger, is about almost having faith.)

All in all, 'A little distraction' might not be my favourite Lucksmiths recording and it probably won't turn out to be yours, either - but it's lovely nonetheless and you can't go too wrong with it.

Dimitra Daisy