The
latest album from Sydney four piece, Hitchcock's
Regret is an almost perfectly crafted piece of pop
perfection. After the fine reviews they received
for Regretfulness, their debut, Hitchcock's Regret
has struck back with Her Life In Reverse, an album
of strong tunes. Where Regretfulness was melancholic
and meandering, Her Life In Reverse is focused,
upbeat and almost optimistic.
The
two opening tracks "How I Wish You Were Her" and
"She's Looking Through Me" are strongly reminiscent
of Crowded House - could this finally be the band
to fill the void that Crowded House left open? The
first song of the two contains a Paul McCartney
influenced bass line countered by mellotron and
a haunting vocal. "She's Looking Through.." has
an unforgettable and hooky chorus, here Mark Moldre's
song writing abilities really shine with lines like
"Seven years of dust has settled in my mind".
"She's
All That I Think About" is a summery Beach Boys
inspired tune containing a fun, up tempo piano part
and jaunty horns on the fade out. "Space & Time"
reminds me of Neil Finn's more recent outings; this
is an ambient sounding piece that builds into a
psychedelic epic. Backwards guitars (and cymbals
too I think) add to the songs wonderful strangeness.
This time around the band have enlisted the help
of producer Michael Carpenter and on tracks like
these it really shows - the production is lush and
experimental at the same time.
Tripping
On A Wire" would not sound out of place on JJJ's
play list, effected vocals, distorted guitars and
bass, a Hendrix sounding riff-all opens into a truly
melodic chorus. "In The Summer" is more McCartney
than McCartney - this song wouldn't sound out of
place on any number of Beatle records, think "Mother
Nature's Son", doubled vocals and strings held together
by acoustic guitar. "Don't Wait" starts with a strong
downbeat, jangly guitars and swirly organ, this
sounds like pure Britpop. "Bitter" opens with a
fast guitar riff and a brilliant drum part, the
middle eight is purely 60's retro, big harmonies
and all. The ending collapses in a heap!
"Milkwood
Moon" is a highlight on this CD, it's almost countryish.
Finger picked acoustic guitar and an achingly sad
vocal that rises up with the entry of strings in
the middle as Mark sings "I am lost". Other moments
of lyrical beauty are "I always seem to be an afterthought"
and "And as she left she waved goodbye, her hand
it seemed to move in time with the music in my mind."
"Salisbury" is a dark folk tune - low rumbling organ
and softly sung vocals - a little Elliot Smith perhaps?
Finally, the album finishes on "The Girl Who Came
In From The Cold" a soothing, gentle ballad that
is a perfect finish to a fantastic second album
from Hitchcock's Regret. Hopefully this album will
receive the attention and radio play that it deserves.
They have thrown themselves well and truly into
the international market with an album that rises
above the average Australian indie offering, You
can check out their website at www.hitchcocksregret.com
or purchase the album at www.laughingoutlaw.com.au
Reviewed
by Joel Connolly
