A new Something for Kate album is always worth waiting for. They have shown a consistency over six albums that few bands can match, and they've done it without becoming a parody of their early work. Partly, this might be because they've never achieved any sort of mainstream success. Paul Dempsey's voice is just a little too grating, the songs a little too inaccessible, the style never been the current fashion.

Desert Lights won't change that. The world may change around them, but this offering is everything you'd expect from a Something for Kate album. A mix of ballads and catchy guitar riffs, solidly produced from start to finish, with just the hint of raw Australian folk-rock. There are no bad songs on the album, nor are there any moments of outright genius. Most songs follow their traditional pattern of a slow start, building up to a big chorus at the finish. As per usual, Something for Kate are worth listening to.

Track Highlights
California - I can't work out whether I like the start of the album or not, full of energy and an unresolved melodic line. Interesting song though.
This is the Life for Me - A typical Dempsey ballad, with an almost 80s-esque quitar finish on their standard 90s grunge.
Transparanoia - A more interesting melody, with an odd beat, and and a heavy guitar riff.
Washed Out to Sea - Maybe I'm just a sucker for a piano and a moody voice, but I like this slow impassioned closing track.

Finer Things 2nd August, 2006 02:42:32   [#] 

Comments

Desert Lights - Something For Kate
oh no, you like SFK, I guess we can't be friends anymore *sniff.
svetlana  2nd August, 2006 11:25:09  

glad to hear
Glad to hear the album is good. I got to see SFK a couple of months ago up here in Canberra. Their first gig since recording Desert Lights (at least that's what they told us). I was pretty happy with what I heard, but also a little dissapointed. Their last three albums have all had songs that I have instantly loved, which I cannot say has happened this time round, from what I've heard live, and on the radio.
Chris  2nd August, 2006 15:23:28  

Desert Lights - Something For Kate
I'm sorry to hear that Svet, I'll miss those awkward half-smiles and fumbling and confused attempts at recognition. You must really dislike SfK though; I mean, have you noticed any of the other crap I admit to liking?

Chris, yeah, as I said, nothing really stands out, and I fumbled round for a few songs that were better than their average. It is, by no means, their best work. But, as I also said, it is still pretty good (if you like SfK already anyway)
Russ  2nd August, 2006 20:51:48  

Desert Lights - Something For Kate
*thump*

...


*fluttering of wings*


Carrier Falcons have been dispatched in the ongoing memelike quest...
Shivering falcon  3rd August, 2006 15:23:50  

In which Madame Hooch questions Burgher
hey dude, where we off to? there're several directions; i'm not sure if maniac is suggesting Don Quixote, or adding it to his list of ideas. Bridge girl and Don are already of the party, but perhaps we shouldn't let that stop us? You're call. Though I be a scout, I await direction as to the way....
Hooch  5th August, 2006 20:56:14  

Desert Lights - Something For Kate
Sorry, have been away sicne Thursday morning, and so didn't get a chance to post this week beforehand. Probably Don Quixote, Bridgegirl has a short blogroll.
Russ  6th August, 2006 17:39:03