shimweasel

Where do these odd post titles come from? I’m glad you asked! They come from one of the best albums I’ve heard all year: Gala Mill, by the Drones. The Drones are from Melbourne, Australia, and are kicking my arse hard. I saw them a while back at the Jerome’s Laneway Festival and was moderately impressed, but didn’t get into their last album much despite its ridiculously cool title, “Wait long by the river and the bodies of your enemies will float by”. The new album is a little more relaxed, with country elements seeping in at the corners, and (thank fuck) they’re totally unapologetic about it. If you get the chance, check it out: “Jezebel” in particular is absolutely amazing.

Strontium 90 removed from milk as curious an entity as bullshit writ on silk

It walks through religion, the middle east, nuclear war and radioactive milk in one ramshackle, sprawling, 8 minute mess of a song, and I’ve not been able to stop playing it.

“Work for Me” is likewise addictive, if a little subtler. Most of the songs have Gareth Liddiard’s gravelly voice and his hyper-literate lyrics front and centre, but “Work for Me” features Fiona Kitschin’s lazy, knowing vocals in a seductive jam that is far and away the sexiest song that I’ve heard all year.

i am not an apple i am not a plum you can’t know the worth of my seed … he don’t make me shake he don’t make me vain need a man had to work for his name

It doesn’t hurt that she’s a stone cold babe, either.

The single off the album is “I don’t ever want to change” and it’s more four-square rock. Gareth still manages to cram some pithy lyrics in, though:

I know my limits well, seems they’re never too far away … alone getting drunk on a beach ain’t a bad way to be

Just go get the album, ok? It’s wonderful.