Abbe May - Design Desire (Album)
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» Bob Log III - East Brunswick Club Hotel, Vic - February 21, 2009
The newest offering from enigmatic West Aussie singer-songwriter Abbe May will invariably draw many comparisons. The albums influences are easily noted, with May’s heavy 70s fueled riffs ringing with tones of Zeppelin and the Doors. May’s ethereal vocals even evoke a likeness to fellow West Australians Tame Impala. However with “Design Desire”, Abbe May doesn’t stumble at the hurdle simply recreating what’s already been done. While the influences are there, this record is distinctly individual.
May is a diverse vocalist, ranging from at times powerfully delivered lyrics (You Could Be Mine, Cast That Devil Out) to more soft, almost sultry moments (No Sleep Tonight). Blood River exemplifies a moment of beauty from a vocalist who is just as capable with such tracks as she is with the swamp rock driven title track of the album. May is similarly eclectic with the mix of riffs produced for the album, from the psychedelic twangs of Universes, to the dirty, distorted, blues fueled Mammalian Locomotion and the harrowing No Sleep Tonight.
While Mammalian Locomotion and Design Desire have been released as singles, they are by no means standouts on this record. Every song fits amongst one another and it makes for a wonderfully dynamic listen. With May already getting love overseas, jump on before she takes off.
