Elly Roberts reviews
The Sleepy Jackson: Personality
Distributed by
Virgin Records
- Released: July 2006
- Rating: 10/10
It seems like Perth in Western Australia is the perfect substitute for the Californian sunshine.
It’s clearly inspired ever-changing Ozzie outfit The Sleepy Jackson
fronted by perfectionist main man Luke Steele, who are setting the tone for
summer releases. This highly melodic opus of grand (some might say OTT)
offerings, could be a 21 century equivalent of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds.
It’s more than obvious there’s a strong BB (and occasionally Beatles)
harmonies influence running through the 13 tracks. Brian Wilson’s soul can
be heard all over it and it’s very flattering. Right now, Steele is doing for
Australia what Rufus Wainwright did for America on Want One and Want Two.
It’s almost like sod the consequences, because this is very bold stuff, as
real troubadours usually are.
Written over two years and built up over three months studio work in Sydney
in early 2005, the press release states, "Grand pianos arrive by the score;
battalions of trumpets emerge at every chorus; backing vocals arrive by the
lorry load and string sections roar with celestial abandon etc."
- Perfectly summed up.
Then there’s Steele’s fragile, almost candyfloss singing. Above all, it’s
the attention to detail that makes it such a striking record. Living in one
of the most isolated cities in the world, he enjoys the peace and quite it
offers, even to the extent it sounds as if he’s oblivious to what the pop
world is doing – long may he live there.
This album has a Personality all of its own, so sit back and be
enthralled.
Best tracks – God Lead Your Soul, I Understand etc, Play A Little Bit For
Love, How Was I Supposed To Know.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
