by Conor Lochrie (@conornoconnor)
Melbourne’s The Murlocs return with their fifth album to provide some much-needed bluesy brightness to listener’s lives. Bittersweet Demons, again released by the excellent Flightless Records, courses on a long and winding path, each turn infectious and melodious. It’s a soulful and rowdy record, rollicking and ballsy.
Led by the swaggering, harmonic-loving Ambrose Kenny-Smith, the five-piece is rounded out with members from other notable Australian groups: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s Cook Craig on bass, Matt Blach on drums (Beans), Tim Karmouche on keys (Crepes), and ORB’s Cal Shortal on guitar. All accomplished musicians, when they come together here the result luckily never sounds too polished; rather emphasis seems to have been placed on sonic curiosity and exploratory exuberance.
This is all not to say that Bittersweet Demons lacks sufficient depth: The Murlocs stated that the record is a reflection on the people who leave a profound impact on our lives. So it begins with “Francesca,” which might be a rollicking opener but is also an endearing ode to Kenny-Smith’s mum, who recently found love in her later life; “No Self Control” is about Kenny-Smith often getting carried away when having too much of a good time, a sincere piano ballad. With songs like these, then, it might be the band’s most personal work to date.
It’s the carousing and cascading instrumentation that dominates though. Great piano singer-songwriters from the 70’s, such as Harry Nilsson and John Lennon, are clear influences, particularly on the bouncing title track, the aforementioned “No Self Control,” and the bubbly “Dangerous Nature”. Kenny-Smith’s beloved harmonics happily get let loose throughout, wheezing and whirling in the tracks “Eating At You,” “Skewiff,” and “Limerence”. The most expressive tracks as a whole are the kaleidoscopic “Skyrocket” a theatrical and funky ride, the psychedelic and riffy “Illuminate The Shade,” and the rockier “Blue Eyed Runner”.
It’s little wonder that The Murlocs boast a fanbase as devoted to them as the cult that follows King Gizzard in whatever they do. It’s not easy to retain such a fun-loving, open-hearted atmosphere while also containing thoughtful lyricism; they consistently manage to do so though. Five albums and over a decade in, The Murlocs’ trip shows no signs of relenting just yet.