Bittersweet Demons
ATO, 2021
8/10
The Australian rockers The Murlocs return for a 5th album, and this time they experiment with their formula while still retaining their signature garage-rock foundation which now flirts with pop, blues, punk and psychedelia with fascinating results.
“Francesca” gets the album off to a lively start, where their rowdy yet precise brand of garage sounds swirls with melody and grit that tips it hat to the ‘80s, and “Dangerous Nature” follows with a warm and playful spirit that benefits from soulful harmonica and dense guitar work thanks to Callum Shortal.
Closer to the middle, “Illuminate The Shade” thumps with an anthemic quality that’s fuzzy and drenched in tuneful rock’n’roll, while “Skyrocket” recruits firm piano from Tim Karmouche and agile drumming thanks to Matt Blach for a blues friendly album highlight that’s quite introspective. “Skewiff”, another excellent track, then initially trims the pace and volume back with a more cautious approach, but then builds into a textured and psyche influenced landscape.
Landing near the end, the meticulous “Blue Eyed Runner” offers a diverse form of garage-rock that’s certainly indebted to the past while still sounding quite modern, and “Misinterpreted” exits the listen with no shortage of beauty in its sunny and glorious finish.
The most emotional record in their catalog so far, these songs were laid out on piano first before being brought to life in a full band setting, and they illustrate The Murlocs much wiser, in control of their destiny and making some of the most diverse music of their career.
Travels well with: Acid Dad- Acid Dad; Post Animal- When I Think Of You In A Castle