(Independent)

Blues and Roots from some fresh faced Sydney-siders.

On the first listen you could right off Fisherking as just another roots/dub band, but further examination proves this is not the case. Firstly, while the drums are full of triplets and offbeat rhythms, they aren’t drenched in reverb as is often the production default for the genre. Producer Genevieve Maynard litters the EP with more grunt then is usually present in roots, adding slight distortion to the guitars and avoiding production clichés. Smellin Roses has textural depth with its angular guitars and gritty slide while And Back To War moves into Black Keys-style blues territory. Throughout the EP groove is everywhere, pulsing and swaggering each track along to its final resolution. The rhythms, however, are fighting an uphill battle to create an upbeat feeling as the lyrical content and overall feel of the EP is one of darkness, despair and despondence. Just as the listening experience has become one of introspective contemplation, Tanzanian Time enters with its Simon & Garfunkel harmonies and you find that a smile is suddenly etched on your face. This is music that takes you on an emotional journey and then drops you off in the sunshine.

KRISSI WEISS

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