Brentford - Welcome ToBrentford

Fri 24th Mar, 2006 in Music Reviews

A few years ago, there was a band called Mrs Pinkwhistle doing the rounds of Melbourne. They wore skinny ties before every second band on the planet did, they gigged with the fellow power pop likes of Klinger and Sekiden, they released CDs with titles like Peaches Bananas Apples Pears containing songs called things like Geelong and they put out a film clip featuring no less than Australia’s collective 71st favourite celebrity – Ian Smith, aka Harold from Neighbours.

But then the musical landscape changed. Sloan inspired harmonies were out and leather jackets and a general sense of unkemptness were in. Klinger subsequently split up and Sekiden retreated into hibernation and only recently re-emerged with a national tour with Spod. But what of Mrs Pinkwhistle? It seems that the band has had a complete makeover. Returning in early 2006 as Brentford – yet still featuring the same 4-piece lineup Mrs Pinkwhistle line up – it’s clear that the artists formerly known as Pinkwhistle have matured and decided to leave quirky keyboards behind in favour of acoustic guitars, huskier vocals and a new attitude.

Welcome to Brentford is the band’s 7-track debut release under their new moniker and it’s clear to even the casual listener that it’s the sound of a band who have ample songwriting and studio experience under their belt. Opener Friend is the missing link between the band’s past and present identities. Delightfully off-kilter guitars in the vein of Pavement or The Posies combine with proudly Aussie vocals to create a great pop song which doesn’t reinvent the band’s sound but serves as a timely reminder as to why Pinkwhistle were a favourite of many on the Melbourne live scene.

From there on in, though, Welcome to Brentford explores new sounds and new directions for the group. The acoustic Walking High gentle introduces subtle brass into the equation while the piano-driven To Foretell is punctuated by multiple-part harmonies. Indie slacker tune Dress Sense – one of only a couple of songs on the EP to be led by electric guitar – is highlighted by feedback and thankfully never descends into clichéd rock freak-out territory. Vocalist Tim Campbell delivers his lines in a broad Aussie accent and with the same unabashed enthusiasm he sustained during the Pinkwhistle days. It’s an infectious trait; one that puts a smile on the face of the listener.

Laugh Out Loud at first threatens to head down a twee Lucksmiths-esque pathway but instead becomes a three minute romp full of neat drum rolls supplied by Paul Konig and catchy harmonies. EP closer Hate To Chase – clocking in at 4 minutes 29 the CD’s longest track – remains a slow acoustic rambling until a minute in when the tempo suddenly changes and the listener is treated to a magnificent slice of Beatles like pop rock.

At 25 minutes, Welcome to Brentford is gives enough of a thorough introduction to Brentford the band to point out the differences between the band and the members’ former incarnation. And jam-packed of sweet harmonies and toe-tapping melodies, Welcome to Brentford may just be lapped up by our national ‘yoof’ broadcaster – we can only hope. Pinkwhistle were a vastly underrated band and the band’s energy, enthusiasm and sheer talent hasn’t diminished during their off-time. It’s nice to have you back, guys.