Jan 05 2010 3:55 pm,
Lawrence Arabia
‘Chant Darling’
(Bella Union)
Following his involvement in the Eagle Vs. Shark soundtrack, Reduction Agents frontman James Milne returns to his Lawrence Arabia guise for his second solo album. ‘Chant Darling’ isn’t as psych-indebted as some of Milne’s Wellington-based contemporaries; his 60sinspired melodies still more Beatles than Beach Boys. ‘The Undesirables’, particularly, marches to the beat of Sgt. Peppers’ band, whilst ‘Look Like A Fool’ raises the spectre of John Lennon himself. Milne is no imitator though; ‘Auckland CBD’ is infused with a distinctive Kiwi feel-good vibe, whilst ‘I’ve Smoked Too Much’ is an endearing account of, yup, smoking too much. One to warm the cockles in the winter months.
Simon Jay Catling
