April 05, 2005

The Lucksmiths "The Chapter of Your Life Entitled San Francisco"

There's nothing finer than a really good Lucksmiths song, and when there's more than six months between the last great Lucksmiths song, life can get a little less enjoyable. (It seems weird, but it's been nearly two years, wow.) But let's not talk about that--there's a new Lucksmiths record to talk about! It's another fine CD-EP with four wonderfully wonderful songs, all of which are quite relevant, pretty and just about every other adjective that's ever been used to describe a pretty Lucksmiths song.

As always, the title track is the main attraction; it's a sad and upbeat little number about being in love with someone who is far away and not hearing from them. (Talk about relevant!) Tali White sings, sadly, in his Tali White way, of how he went "a fortnight without so much as an email, then a postcard scant of detail in which you wished me 'all the best!' from the non-specific Northwest." (Oh, so he loved her too, I see!) But the brother can write a witty chorus, and I love this one: "should it one day come to pass/ that you sit down to your memoirs/where will this go, the chapter of your life entitled 'San Francisco?'" Damn. I can listen to this song over and over and not get sick of it. The next two songs, "Young and Dumb" and "The Winter Proper" are more of the same; the former is a jangly little tune that disguises its melancholy quite well, the latter is a sad little piano-based number. (Who broke his heart? Shame on you. I know several girls who have a thing for you, Tali. Don't fret!) The final song is a country-rock cover of the Bee Gees' "I Started A Joke." Nice! I'm telling ya, buy this one for the title track alone--it's DEFINITELY worth it, especially if someone's recently trampled your heart.

--Joseph Kyle

Artist Website: http://www.thelucksmiths.com.au
Label Website: http://www.indiepages.com/matinee

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