Lawrence Arabia - Chant Darling
Lawrence Arabia aka Mr. James Milne returns from across the sea (Ye Olde England) and offers up his new album Chant Darling.
It's been three years since the release of his first album Lawrence Arabia, a rather intimate affair in comparison to a lot of his work with The Reduction Agents. This time around on Chant Darling it's a fuller, more rounded album, which combines the strengths of his previous works, to become something that will undoubtedly prove to be one of the best releases of the year.
From the onset of opening track "Look Like a Fool", with it's swirling Beatlesesque harmonies and twangy seventies guitars, we are carried away on an Antipodean Journey of the finest variety. Along for the journey is a star studded homegrown backing crew, including no less than Liam Finn, Luke Buda, Samuel Flynn Scott and James Dansey all of whom cement the collective goodness available on Chant Darling.
Fans of the The Dance Reductions Agents and its Eagle vs Shark featured hit "80's Celebration" will be thrilled by Chant Darling's soon to be classic dance anthems, appearing in the forms of "Apple Pie Bed" and the rollicking pacifica hit "Auckland CBD Part Two". Both of which only serve as a reminder, if you get a chance to see Lawrence Arabia live, don't miss it!
"The Beautiful Young Crew" marks the beginning of the Lawrence Political Party and as the official song to the party; it's catchier than any slogan could ever hope to be. The end of the album finds the brilliant "I've Smoked Too Much" swaying into the appropriately named closer "Dream Teacher", which does leave us dreaming, if not wondering how it could be over so soon, and how quickly can I press that play button again.
M.Jones
