(Independent)

The ’80s aren’t back – they hadn’t gone away

After around two decades of playing in bands the world over, Brisbane musician and songwriter Breen Schipke made time to release a solo album. Schipke’s musical – and life – experience are evident on The Thread; the lyrics display a maturity found on few other modern debuts. The sound too is a product of decades of experience, although the influence of the last two is quite weak, while the 1980s are much stronger. In the tender moments, Schipke comes across as a Cat Stevens-inspired storyteller, but this is offset with shades of Mondo Rock in the guitar riffs on the rock tracks and synthy keys on Tommy and Song For Trish. Too sincere to be tacky, The Thread is a different kind of retro. It sounds like a product of the ’80s because as a musician, Schipke himself is – the lack of contrivance is part of the charm.

NILS HAY

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