Basics, The - Wait For You (EP)
» The Basics Northcote Residency - May 2, 2010
» The Basics - John Curtin Hotel, VIC - June 6, 2009
» The Basics - St Martins Theatre, VIC - April 18, 2009
» The Basics - Waltz Down Memory Lane - April 9, 2008
» The Basics: Rattling chains - November 19, 2007
» The Basics - St Martins Theatre, VIC - April 18, 2009
» The Basics - East Brunswick Club Hotel, Vic - December 5, 2008
Tim, Wally and Kris never lost their form – they just changed it up when they released Keep Your Friends Close last year. I can safely say though, their latest few numbers collated on the Wait For You EP are a return to The Basics of old.
When you hear the Motown boyband sounds of the title track here, you’ll be nothing short of a smile. And don’t take the wrong connotations of boyband either – this is seriously cool stuff. The Basics have now managed to blend a traditional rock formula with their own oddball style (most evident live) and Wait For You is a perfect example of the bullseye on the target the trio’s been aiming at.
Not only does the lead single sound a treat, ‘Get Me Down’ - with verses led by every member of the band – singlehandedly makes up for all the “sadness” that lingered through the band’s last LP. This is a song that’s simply roaring with energy and good vibes, not to mention extremely cheesy, but funnily enough, rockin’ lyrics (“the escalator aint gonna get me down”). It’s a testament to the band’s live sound – raw, raucous and go-go-dance-inducing.
The disc also brings with it the added bonus of four live tracks, recorded at the Corner Hotel last year. (Well, it’s questionable whether the first of these counts - It’s ‘Happy Birthday’ - but the rest are right on the mark.)
Wally de Backer’s holler is as powerful as ever on ‘Second Best’ and ‘Rattle My Chain’ – songs that are arguably better live than their recorded selves (which makes this an ironic scenario). Then there’s the token cover (how could there not be on a Basics live offering), with Kris Schroeder delivering the lead vocals on the JJ Cale penned, Clapton hit, ‘Cocaine’ – a sound that amply suits the band’s more suave side, and cools everything down.
‘Wait For You’ has to be one of The Basics’ finest songs to date and the mini live set is a great way to heighten the anticipation for the release of the band’s live album recorded recently at the Northcote Social Club. All in all, the Wait For You EP is well worth your attention.
