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Elly Roberts reviews
Virgin Records
- Released: July 2006
- Rating: 10/10
It seems like Perth in Western Australia is the perfect substitute for the Californian sunshine.
Its clearly inspired ever-changing Ozzie outfit The Sleepy Jacksonfronted by perfectionist main man Luke Steele, who are setting the tone forsummer releases. This highly melodic opus of grand (some might say OTT)offerings, could be a 21 century equivalent of the Beach Boys Pet Sounds.
Its more than obvious theres a strong BB (and occasionally Beatles)harmonies influence running through the 13 tracks. Brian Wilsons soul canbe heard all over it and its very flattering. Right now, Steele is doing forAustralia what Rufus Wainwright did for America on Want One and Want Two.Its almost like sod the consequences, because this is very bold stuff, asreal troubadours usually are.
Written over two years and built up over three months studio work in Sydneyin early 2005, the press release states, “Grand pianos arrive by the score;battalions of trumpets emerge at every chorus; backing vocals arrive by thelorry load and string sections roar with celestial abandon etc.” – Perfectly summed up.
Then theres Steeles fragile, almost candyfloss singing. Above all, itsthe attention to detail that makes it such a striking record. Living in oneof the most isolated cities in the world, he enjoys the peace and quite itoffers, even to the extent it sounds as if hes oblivious to what the popworld is doing long may he live there.
This album has a Personality all of its own, so sit back and beenthralled.
Best tracks God Lead Your Soul, I Understand etc, Play A Little Bit ForLove, How Was I Supposed To Know.
Weblink:The Sleepy Jackson.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. You Needed More
2. Devil Was In My Yard
3. God Lead Your Soul
4. Work Alone
5. God Knows
6. I Understand What You Want But I Just Dont Agree
7. Miles Away
8. Higher Than Hell
9. Play A Little Bit For Love
10. Dont Say
11. You Wont Bring People Down In My Town
12. Dream On
13. How Was I Supposed To Know
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.