Second Hand News Issue #4: Reflections on Audiophile Autumn
I just missed the window of a seasonal update.
This issue is more of a report than a review. It was supposed to be published in Autumn but when I set out on my writer’s retreat (housesitting for my parents) I had forgotten my CDs! And no, I’m not allowed to listen to them online that negates the whole point. It would actually be a waste of money.
Album #1: Words Like Wire - Mistress Mondays
I found this EP from 2012 in the street library and wondered why they wanted to get rid of it now. Mistress Mondays was a now-defunct Melbourne band in which everyone was doing something good but not it well together. It felt forced or slapped together. Maybe it would’ve been great live, I can’t comment.
There was a scratch on the first track so I can’t review that. I did quite like “One Less Sundown” which has a great instrumental, an interesting breakdown riff and this melodic synth coming in late in the song that just changes it all.
Throughout this EP, I kept thinking about how I disliked the vocalist's voice. Sorry if that's cruel. This thought generated a lot of respect because maybe someone will write up the same stuff about my music someday. This thought was kind of an act of freedom like I felt a bit of peace in that. Still not on board with their sound but maybe someone will like them! There’s talent there! Whoever wants it can buy the CD from me.
They also made this great Facebook post that I keep quoting to myself…
Album #2: The Courage of Others - Midlake
I have listened to some Midlake in my time. I’ve been known to enjoy it. They have one of my favourite band names of all time, it just looks so good on paper, a bunch of perfect letters. These were all thoughts swirling through my head when I bought this for $2 at Burwood Road Salvos. The sticker on the front said it was "Album of the Month" which is both ages and no time at all, so it kind of renders it a meaningless award. No other albums in this issue received it though, something to think about.
As I did my puzzle with this album playing, I felt like I was not the first. They are good! So good in fact that I was surprised that their Spotify monthly listeners weren’t higher, not that that number means anything but where is everyone?! Get on Midlake!
The second half of the album is so solid. One standout was 'The Horn', a swooping journey of a melody. Great strength. I enjoy the control of their sound, they are so in sync with each other and in conversation! Directly after is the title track, 'The Courage of Others', that got to me. Those lyrics, I mean on a level, I will never have the courage of others...I will not approach you at all, AND I was always taught to worry about things! I love the drumming, the way what sounds like a flute gets to shine, the build-up and the eventual takeover by the electric guitar. If I saw this live there's no telling what would happen.
Album #3: Up the Bracket - The Libertines
I picked this up at Real Groovy, a spacious record store in Auckland. This "discovery" is a set-up. I am not discovering Up the Bracket. I am well aware of Up the Bracket. I could stand to be less aware of Up the Bracket.
Up the Bracket is a near-perfect album and one that I’ve replayed over and over. It's full of electricity, passion, poetry and a once in a lifetime talent. It's hard for me to talk about it without leaping into pretentious hyperbole. The soundscape created feels so real, like I could hold it and like I have. Few bands are such a reflection for me. They are maybe my biggest influence.
The track listing is a bit crazy. it jumps around through emotion and tempo, nothing truly leads into each other but that's part of that spontaneity. Two standouts are ‘Up the Bracket’ which has brilliant production - it flows in and out of volume and tone and space - and ‘Time for Heroes’ which really is the quintessential Libertines song with its killer riff and poetic lyrics to the point where if you don’t love it right off the bat there’s no point going on. Pack up! There’s nothing for you here.
However my favourite, such a favourite that the word seems redundant, is ‘Death on the Stairs’. It may be my favourite song of any album ever, second-hand or otherwise. A song I normally skip because it makes me so angry knowing someone real, living and breathing wrote it and then continued to write stuff that was just as good! ‘A cheap hotel where I can meet the past’, what the hell man!!! Perfectly sung. This song made me pull over the car once. I don't know what else will work if that is not convincing enough.
Amazing album. Can’t recommend it enough. And Pete Doherty, I’m free when you’re free. Let me know if you want to have another long-term, high-stakes homoerotic friendship.
Epilogue: Some other sounds I’ve been enjoying:
Charli XCX’s slew of singles and imminent album, ‘brat’ - so cohesive, so cool, so excited…
‘Hollow Me’ by Yura Yura Teikoku - On high rotation in my kitchen
Lana Del Rey’s Unreleased Catalogue - no link and no further information, I don’t want to get in trouble.
The sounds of the city! Rising is on (which I no longer think is stupid), and everyone’s trying to stay happy despite the cold, we’re moving around and chatting and loving!
Thanks for reading, lots of love.