Ever wondered what Americana folk, mixed with dark alternative and saturated in Australian everyday life might sound like? Most likely it would be encapsulated by the music of Gold Coast band These Idle Hands, made up of Murray Webber [lyrics, arrangements, vocals, guitar, banjo], Josh Morris [lyrics, arrangements, vocals, guitar], Benny D Williams [production, piano, backing vocals], Sue Ferrers [violin], Craig Johnston [bass guitar, double bass] and Paul Muller [drums, percussion]. In January, they released their third album, which took approximately two and a half years to records, and is self titled. In addition to the core unit, they were joined by Kieran Richardt , Amaya Indigo [backing vocals], Bess Ringham [backing vocals], Grace Lamor [backing vocals], Isla Webber [backing vocals], Fletcher Bab [flute] and Jamie Mercer [drums].
At fourteen tracks and all being original, no covers, you are getting a lot of fresh music from These Idle Hands. The first track often sets up what you might expect from the rest of the album and “Between You And The Sun” starts like an orchestra tuning up, but then morphs into a slow mash-up of guitar and violin with the drawl of the vocals, contemplating why that special person walked away. The piano injections are the bright spots of light against the crying violin as the song takes flight, and the clash of drums that are just right.
“Somewhere Else To Go” could be any of us in life, when we are young, falling in love, getting on in life and then wondering where the years have gone, yet keeping the fire of desire still burning. It is like a slow country dance for couples, as the violin serenades them, and the rumbling vocals are at odds in the chorus with the light sweetness of the ladies singing and it lends itself to the following track “Stringy Mangoes.” Lingering memories of childhood, smells, tastes and the feeling on the sun on your skin, all melding into a warmth that lives on within.
There is a 60s psychedelic folk whimsy that burns bright with the flute and stylish drumming in “Better At Love,” It is the sort of song that brings a smile to your face, when you know love isn’t easy, and the struggle makes it all the sweeter to make it through intact. It is a beautiful ode to persistence and a true heart, to which we cannot not help but mention the beautifully written “With You.” It has this joy that is infectious and just makes you have a spring in your step. Such a wonderful way to end the album on a positive track.
I am probably wrong, but the cover photo reminds me of the cane farming area of Jacobs Well, a piece of Queensland’s more rural past. The Australian accent sits well, crooning in the bluegrass folk way, something proven by the likes of Nick Cave. These Idle Hands have used that which they know best, which is real life experience to bring together an album full of snippets of extasy, sorrow and all the boring bits in between, as well as learnt lessons, set to a soundtrack which is both emotive and enjoyable. I am not the most knowledgeable human when it comes it comes to Country style music, though I do like a good guitar slide, but the bluesy overtones, combined with the more classical instruments, takes you out of your existence for fourteen tracks, so you can string along in the tender world of These Idle Hands.
Onyx Music Reviews 