Firekites - The Bowery (Album)
» Stars - Factory Theatre, NSW - January 3, 2009
» Stars - Corner Hotel, The, Vic - January 2, 2009
Little surprises like this are a big part of why I write reviews. When the postman says, “here’s a mysterious package” and I say “just the mail thanks” and therein on this particular occasion, lays a complete musical enigma. When just a few chords into its opener Lost Ships and I’m happy discarding the remote. And especially when by fourth track Same Suburb Different Park I’m delving into the bloody hard to read booklet, where it says Firekites hail from Newcastle, Australia. Memo: check gig guide.
Comprised of multifaceted pair Rod Smith and Tim McPhee (of The Instant), whom with violinist Jason Tampake (Josh Pyke band), Jane Tyrell (The Herd), half a dozen additional players and established knob twiddler Wayne Connolly in their corner, these songs have finally found a life after a few years gathering body and dust.
A wholly and indeed holistically subtle blend of a poor guy’s Sufjan Stevens acoustic troupe, combined with the comfortable ambling (and instrumental or three) you’d expect from an Iron & Wine / Jose Gonzalez / Angus & Julia type. What this mini LP may lack in groundbreaking hooks ‘n’ hits it makes up for with an overall consistency in quality and sophistication, with special nods to the aforementioned tracks plus the slick Mirror Miracle and eloquent, hand clappin’ By Night taking best in show.
I’m not saying Firekites are the Next Big Thing in showbiz, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were deemed ARIA Breakthrough Artist candidates, even if bands like these don’t win awards.
