Mrs Wainwright - Deadman's Pocket

The past few years have seen a number of unusual suspects rise to the top of the Australian music scene. Kasey Chambers, the John Butler Trio and The Waifs can all lay claim to multi-platinum albums. Perth’s Little Birdy are beginning to taste similar success.

These artists have achieved success on their own terms, for the most part playing music which would not usually be embraced by mainstream radio and audiences.  This will hopefully encourage radio stations to take a chance on acts like Mrs Wainwright.
 
Deadman’s Pocket is a four track EP encompassing everything from country to rock, back to the blues and a healthy dose of American roots music. The title track relies heavily on the latter, the hypnotic vocals of Trish Anderson duelling for supremacy with some spookily atmospheric guitars.  Dreams Are Soft has a timeless quality to it; upon first listen I could have sworn I’d heard it before.  A slow-burning country lament, it sounds vaguely like something the late Johnny Cash might have recorded in his later years.  Story Writer, the rockiest of the buncg, both musically and vocally lends itself to comparisons to both R.E.M and Midnight Oil.

Closing track Oh Louis, My Louis represents the only misstep on what is a promising EP. It’s not a bad track by any means; perhaps its status as the weakest of the four is indicative of the quality of the other songs on offer. 

Highly recommended for anyone who has found themselves in possession of albums by The Waifs or Kasey Chambers.