Clare Bowditch and the Feeding Set

So, a couple of weeks ago I picked up "what was left" this years album by Clare Bowditch et al.

I have to say it has been a bit of an adventure listening to it, its really unvieled itself slowly to me. At first a few songs stood out as absolute winners (the poppier numbers) and then slowly, but surely, the others grew on me, to the point of saying that overall its a top album.

So, the poppy tracks - in particular Divorcee at 23, On this side and Lips like Oranges, are all great. Although I wouldnt limit it to these, saying that these are the only bright tracks, but they do have a certain radio friendly "benleeness" about them. Having said that, like the whole album, the instrumentation and arrangements are just amazing. Guest electric guitarist J. Walker, does an awesome job on these 3 tracks in particular, playing stuff that would seem ridiculous to some, but just making it fit perfectly. It really excites me how all the instruments work together.

Speaking of Instruments... Libby Chow is a very integral part of the band. Featuring pretty much just on backing vocals and french horn, its a unique addition, to a beautiful sound. Probably half the tracks feature the french horn (in particular the more laid back ones), and again, the arrngements are just beautiful, adding depth and soul to Clare's quirky, syncopated and melodic compositions. The other brilliant aspect of the arrangements are the drumlines. Its hard to say without listening to their stuff, but they really are something special... I'm not a drummer so thats about all you'll get out of me on that one. But yeah... all the instruments just fit, its hard at times to distiguish them, but i think thats ok on this one.

Wrapping it up with Clare... her guitar work is again beautiful. For a band that boarders on busyness at times, its interesting to note that the guitar is like a rock. Just fingerpicks on through the song - to give you an idea, without the band Clare would be similar to Holly Throsby in some ways, but the band just takes it somewhere else completely. No better or worse, just unexpected and special (so i guess it is better).

Overall, the sound is so Melbourne! I dont know what that means, but it makes sense to me. Mick... I would suggest you have listen, in some strange way it reminds me of the Sundays - but a less simple, more quirky version. not sure, just something i feel...