James Cruickshank - Noteto Self

Tue 19th Jul, 2011 in Music Reviews

Tagged the ‘the Serge Gainsbourg of the bush,’ James Cruickshank’s third solo album Note to Self shares the artistic vision as his previous albums, Hymn to Her and Hello Human.

Self-produced and recorded at ‘The Rectory’ in Bangalow, the album captures the rusty, bluesy sounds of the Australian outback, as well as the isolation and depth of that same landscape. Throughout the album Cruickshank is an orator, at times telling the story rather then singing it, but in a manner that is no less captivating.

Blue Falcon for example, clops steadily along with to an oh-too-familiar blues beat and guttural guitar. Lyrically it relives fond moments spent in Melbourne and Sydney from the 60s, while Invisible Tattoo challenges Cruickshank to implement all the vocal range he possesses. A stripped back cover of The Beatles Within You Without You is sobering and deep with original sitar melody is replaced by an earthier melody, giving it a unique subtlety.

Cruickshank has found himself a market and indeed career in Europe, so is only embarking on a brief tour of Australia in 2011 but he deserves more attention in Australian, and not just for his contributions to the Cruel Sea.