I, A Man – ‘The Scenic Route’

Stuff that lands in my inbox can be put into a few squares – hype bands, school bands, post break-up lead vocalists trying to make it solo, femme fatales donning peter pan collars or other feathery nonsense around their necks, DJs (everyone), MIDI chompers (everyone). Then there are bands like these guys, who make familiar things sound almost better than the originals.  But after listening to this track…are these guys Motor Ace or what? Not going to slip away all work of their accord (go over and enjoy the awesome drumming on previous EP Fiften Thirty Three here) but I hope they’ll appreciate the comparison. Perhaps that’s just some melancholy on my part pining for consecutive years from 2002 to 2005, but those were good years for Australian music. Anyway, all that melodic ambience and tangled up rhythm guitar catches me easily – so this track is top notch (by association) for me.

The guys are heading out on the road next month. Be sure to get along to one of their shows below:

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Add this track to the long list of your favourite Australian male/female collabs featuring everybody’s local musical heroes. Overseas charts and the general populace still aren’t bored of naked sulking and Wally painting triangles on everyone after a year, so I hope this will provide a bit more joy.

I was under the impression that the initialled psuedonym thing was reserved for science fiction writers or medical practioners but the former Middle East member is now releasing material under R.L Jones (although I always thought Rohin was a cool name). Since The Middle East disbanded, Jones has been spending time in Townsville and Sydney developing both new and older songs into a record expected early next year.

But back to the tune – Rohin and Adalita are way out from their familar sound here. Rohin’s gentle folk stylings have been replaced with something a little more confident. It’s got that bright, driving Ernest Ellis vibe to it and I’m really enjoying that huge, melodic riff cradling the intro. And even for the comforts of slight distortion, Adalita’s done away with the trademark drawls just for this and sounds unusually – but incredibly, sweet. ‘Feel good’ is a cheap description. But I do get the strange urge to hug someone after hearing this.

R.L Jones is playing this Friday 22nd June at Brisbane’s Old Museum with fellow former Middle East bandmates + Black Water Fever, Pete Cullen, John & Alexander and Dom Miller. Tickets here.

R.L Jones FB

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