The John Steel Singers -The Beagle And The Dove

Tue 10th Jun, 2008 in Music Reviews

The John Steel Singers are not – as their name suggests – some Christian choir, but are in fact a six-piece indie band from Queensland. The release of their mini-LP, The Beagle And The Dove, marks a collection of eight songs that seem impossible to categorise, as it is such a hodgepodge of weird and wonderful sounds.

The music occasionally resembles a circus big top and at other times is like a pianist in the bar scene of a silent movie. Needless to say, the group seems to draw upon a multitude of sounds and artists as influences. The opener is The Staged Intervention Of Poor Rich By His Righteous Peers. Just as the title is a loaded one, so too is the song brimming with many bits and bobs. The music hints at Split Enz’s Master Plan, while the vocals share a timeless and harmonious quality like The Beatles. Moreover, the inclusion of some horns appears to add a reference to The Specials.

Following this is the abrupt commencement of track two, Richard. This segue is so seamless it is almost as if a magician performed a trick. If you blink you won’t believe that this instrumental interlude has begun, as it borrows musical elements from its predecessor. Next is Strawberry Wine, which shares the Britpop sounds of Blur and the cheeky irreverence of Custard. Meanwhile, Smashing The Speed Of Sound On An Empty Lake In Utah has some drum rolls similar to a marching band.

The subsequent track, Submarines And Kayaks, begins like a Play School song before transforming into what seems like the random parade at the end of the video for Ringo Starr’s Stop And Take The Time To Smell The Roses. This song – like the others on this release – provides the perfect opportunity for extroverted individuals to parade, play and party. The spirit of the sixties is alive on these tracks. The music brims with an innocent quality synonymous with the start of the period. And the song Tony Delaney contains lyrics that appear to have been taken from a Ray Davies songbook.

In sum, while listening to the release, it does not take long for one to think of it as a Split Enz-inspired Jamboree. The music makes your spirit soar like the trapeze artist while the contortionist produces pitch-perfect harmonies and the clowns add a cheeky, playful element. Essentially, everyone should “roll up, roll up” with friends and enjoy the spectacle on offer here. And what an eclectic performance it is.