Winterpark, Sly Hats @ TheToff, Melbourne (13/11/08)

Sun 16th Nov, 2008 in Gig Reviews

The Toff in Town was the place to be last Thursday night. With its cityscape views and red velvet curtain it was the perfect venue for the launch of ambient rockers Winterpark’s sophomore album Falling Men and Flying Dreams.

Since their inception in 2006, Winterpark have certainly been busy little bees. After garnering rave reviews for their debut effort One Night Alone, the Melbourne four-piece embarked on a year of worldwide touring. Well, they’re back on home soil and the new album is in the can, leaving this little reviewer with very high expectations.

The always brilliant Sly Hats kicked things off with their dreamy brand of calypso pop. I can’t believe that this brainchild of fey indie heartthrob Geoff O’Connor (of Crayon Fields) have not made a bigger name for themselves because they’re fucking amazing. The atmosphere was one of decayed elegance, with the crowd seated at small tables in front of the stage, all fifties jazz club style. It was lucky I was sitting down because as soon as Sly Hats began I was weak at the knees.
By the end of my new favourite song I Am Ready To Fake It For You I think I’ve discovered the recipe for making awesome pop music. Using mystical wind chimes as a base, add a smattering of pre-recorded atmospherics, plenty of gently plucked guitar and a generous helping of lilting vocals. Sit back for one hour and enjoy. Mmmm. Delicious.
Well anyway, I think I better cut this off mid-gush and just encourage anybody and everybody to listen to Sly Hats.

Onto Winterpark then, and I was very worried that the entrée would be nicer than the main, but thankfully they were as good as everyone has been saying. The term “shoegaze” has almost become a pejorative in the world of musical criticism but when it comes to these guys it is a big fat compliment. Forget po-faced shuffling and screaming feedback, Winterpark have this shit down to an art form.

It’s the restraint of the band which is its biggest strength. The ephemeral keys of cute as can be lead singer Jordy compliment her whispery voice perfectly and when combined with the chiming interplay between dual guitarists Matt and Alice, Winterpark really take you to another place.

Epitomised by propulsive single Wall Kids, sounds appear and disappear, undulating harmonies tangling about the insistent waves of reverb. The soothing visual backing really add to things too, subtlety blending textures and tones, and really blissing you out, a la (dare I say it…) My Bloody Valentine.

Winterpark can really surprise you too, like in subdued torch song See You In My Dreams. Beginning with sparse guitar work and haunting vocals it slowly builds, layer by synthetic layer, ever resisting bombastic temptations, until it finishes with a slow-burning crescendo. It’s very moving stuff.

Alas it didn’t last. It pains me to say it but I couldn’t help but be disappointed towards the end of the set. Many songs seemed to take on more of a rocky feel with choppy Bloc Party style riffs and clamouring drums taking away from the understated emotion Winterpark is capable of producing. Though the positives far outweigh the negatives, and with a cover of The Cars classic Just What I Needed to close, Winterpark leave everyone grinning.