9.18.2007

Augie March, Moo, You Bloody Choir (Red Ink, 2007)

Augie March hail from Melbourne, Australia. Led by guitarist/vocalist Glenn Richards, this modern rock quartet specializes in melodic but melancholic laments of love and loss. It's a familiar formula to be sure, but Richards, drummer David Williams, guitarist Adam Donovan, bassist Edmondo Ammendola, and keyboardist Kiernan Box mostly make it work due to some tight musicianship and good songwriting. Richards, in particular, has a feel for melodies and a soulful voice that is well-suited to the kind of songs he writes.

Their third album, titled Moo, You Bloody Choir, came out last year in Australia but just got released in the U. S. last month. The band plays mostly straightforward rock, with some country leanings. A lot of the album is pretty moody, as typified by the opening song and single "One Crowded Hour," which will please some people more than others. I don't mind music that leans towards the more somber side of things, but after hearing the band rock out on "Just Passing Through" and get somewhat rustic on "Thin Captain Crackers," I kind of wish Augie March had made the album a bit more diverse.

Moo, You Bloody Choir does have enough good tracks to justify giving it a listen, though. It will appeal to people who like melodic, no-frills guitar rock with tinges of country and soul.

Overall grade: B

reviewed by Scott

No comments: