Drawn From Bees
The Sky Is Falling
6 Track, EP (2009, Bonefinger/MGM)
Related: Drawn From Bees.
Since changing their name from Glasshouse, Drawn From Bees have planned to release four records over the space of two years; a self-imposed deadline that suggests the kind of solid Protestant work ethic you normally don’t get in artsy rock bands with “interesting” haircuts and bookish leanings. The Sky Is Falling is their third release and it’s ahead of schedule, which is nice, but listening to the very first lines of the very first track I wish they’d waited just a little bit longer. “The sky is falling down on me/I’m injured,” Dan James’ anguished vocals go. “The world is wakin’ up to see/That I’m broken.” It’s a shame the lyrics are straight out of an angsty teenager’s journal poetry, because the song’s layered vocal harmonies and chiming guitars mesh so well together.
Those multi-vocal harmonies are a trademark of Drawn From Bees’ songs, which tend to build themselves up from “oh-oh-oh-ohs” tumbling down with all the beauty of perfect Tetris blocks slotting into their rows just when you need them. The baroque and frilly psych-pop harmonies are held down to earth by bass grooves (‘Many Miles’) and simple, acoustic guitar (‘Say What You Mean’, which sounds like a tribute to Sigur Rós). ‘Death Of A General’ aims for bombast instead, with flugelhorn, guitar feedback and drum rolls mimicking the distant sound of shelling. ‘Bus Now’ is another highlight, with all the pomp and ceremony of Muse at their most affected – and I mean that in a good way. Even if the lyrics are occasionally half-baked, the music is top-notch.
by Jody Macgregor
The Australian Government isn’t the only entity that puts people throu…
Melbourne noir-rock outfit The Spoils will play their last show on …
There were no smoked salmon bagels, Hollywood impersonators or Torah r…
Canberra transplants Bum Creek (pictured) have a new CD out. Released …
is there guidelines in the M+N rulebook for reviews, that the reviewer must slip in some completely random bullshit that has nothing to do with describing of sound?
apart from that its intriguing
It's in the guidebook for all music reviewers, right between the bits where it explains how to use the words 'crepuscular' and 'juxtaposition.'
Oh goodo, I was just making sure its orthodox. Otherwise an old fashion impeachment was on the cards.
I enjoyed the Tetris analogy… I finally get harmonies now.