Boat People, The - Dear Darkly (Album)
» The Boat People announce tour dates - June 24, 2009
» Sunset Sounds - River Stage (City Botanic Gardens), QLD - January 8, 2009
» Kate Miller-Heidke - Tivoli, The, QLD - November 20, 2008
Dear Darkly from The Boat People is a slow burner that grows better with every listen and is their most complete record to date. It sees the boys moving far away from the days of Possum Magic toward a mature sound without losing the playful energy that has always been a feature of their music. Dear Darkly shows us a more intimate side of The Boat People, and a new depth to James O’Brien and Robin Water’s song writing ability. The split lead vocal and song writing duties between them has always given the Boat People an interesting dynamic, which is heightened in their new material with more keyboard action and thoughtful arrangements that is a pleasant change from their previous records.
The Boat People have released an endlessly entertaining album that is relaxing like an ice cold beer on a hot summer’s afternoon. Highlights include Under The Ocean, Antidote, Dance To My Pain and You Are Adored. Under The Ocean is ridiculously catchy and sports a cracking guitar solo courtesy of Charles. It’s a song that screams nostalgia for the good times with the added benefit of an arse shaking bass line. Antidote sports dreamy lyrics that any woman would love to have written about her ‘you’re everything I need/ you’re the antidote to an ugly world’. Dance To My Pain reveals a darker side of the pop quartet with menacing guitars and talk of drinking and smoking all day. The final track on the album You Are Adored sees the boys channelling the spirit of jazz, with a long instrumental jam session, complete with a killer bass line.
Dear Darkly is one of the most enjoyable Australian releases to grace 2010, from one of the most underrated bands in the country. Do yourself a favour and grab a copy, you won’t be disappointed.
