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Finally, the Weather release their debut CD “Aroha Ave”, recorded 2004-6 in Auckland by Ed Cake (Bressa Creeting Cake, Pie Warmer and also producer of CDs by Anika Moa and Don McGlashan). The delay was due to moving from Auckland to Hamilton and dealing with the subsequent confusion, though in the meantime band songwriter Matthew Bannister (One Man Bannister) released “Moth”, a well-received demo album, on Powertool Records (as is “Aroha Ave”). The CD is a family and community oriented affair, with various friends and family from Sandringham contributing to its 11 songs, which are broadly themed around living in Auckland, raising a family and living in “Aroha Ave”. So it’s kind of domestic pop music, with a focus on the “little things”, but there’s nothing diminutive about the range of melodies and musical approaches on display, from Kinks-style hymns to suburbia (the title track, “Sandringham”) to bawdy, bluesy satire on Auckland nightlife (“Sex in the City”) to a joke advertisement for a phone company “Keep in Touch” etc. The songwriting displays the same sure touch as Bannister’s former bands Sneaky Feelings and the Dribbling Darts of Love, with the help of Alice Bulmer (bass), Paula Law (vocals, flute), Michael Beck (drums) and a cast of assorted extras. Playing live, they are supported by the “brooding” Sandra Bell (Dunedin), the “poppy” Gian Perrone and his band Dynamo Go! (Hamilton), and AJ Bell (NZ’s very own Hinuera-stone cowboy). Dates La Commune, Hamilton, Saturday 30 August (with Sandra Bell and Gian Perrone) The Wine Cellar, Auckland, Fri 12 Sept (with AJ Bell and Dynamo Go) We have also produced a video for the title track, directed by James Finlayson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsxjTHyiDbw. The CD and video were produced with financial assistance from Wintec. The photos were shot by Roger Mortimer and the cover was designed by Geoffrey Clarke. The CD was mastered by Zed Brookes. |
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REVIEWS
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ELSEWHERE.CO.NZ: The singer and songwriter behind
the Weather is Matthew
Bannister, formerly of Sneaky Feelings who drew their inspiration
and aspiration from the pantheon of classic pop (Beatles, Beach Boys)
and reputable country (the Louvin Brothers). And that meant they
were isolated in the middle of Velvet-influenced bands and noisy neighbours
on the Flying Nun label.
After three fine albums the Sneakies were no more (the other songwriter David Pine went on to Death Ray Café et al) and Bannister formed the short-lived Dribbling Darts of Love. He also joined Don McGlashan’s band and in 2000 wrote his band-biography about the Nun years in the very readable, take-few-prisoners Positively George Street. This year he released Moth, lo-fi but melodic home-recordings under the name One Man Bannister -- but now comes this fully fledged album with his current band the Weather. Bannister’s direction remains unwavering: crisply delivered, melodically memorable pop lightly embellished (here a trumpet, there a saxophone, backing vocals where necessary) and the musical references are much the same: solo McCartney (especially in his post-Beatles domestic phase), a bit of country consciousness, a Lennonesque touch on Keeping in Practice. In a sense Bannister’s ambition seem more modest than in the Sneakies and this album -- full of domestic and suburban detail (clothes lines, barbecue, a television show) -- comes off as much more relaxed: there are comfortable strums (Middle of the Night written by bassist/singer/wife Alice Bulmer, Don’t Even Think About It), vocals of the unashamed “do-do-doo” kind, and Keep in Touch could have slipped of McCartney’s first solo album. (Or if you are less charitable London Town.) Treasure Island is a poppy romp (think a rather more chipper Bats) which drips a little acid on reality shows contestant in search of fame, and later the happy couple sing about living in Sandringham (with only the slightest hint of cynicism) -- but Ask Anyone is the standout: a slightly eerie, distant but emotionally engaging piece that is the equal of anything he has ever written. Some may find this lightweight -- it does err from light touch in that direction -- but Bannister is long used to that comment (and worse). What is here however should find its way to radio (in the best of all possible worlds, I have to add) and in the long run that is where he always wanted to be. Ain’t nothing wrong with that. GRAHAM REID. heres the link: http://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/1818/the-weather-aroha-ave-powertools/ |
