Dan Kelly and the AlphaMales - Babysitters ofthe World Unite!

Wed 7th Jun, 2006 in Music Reviews

Psychedelic, country, indie-rock, blues n’ roots, swaggering falsetto, even motown. These words have all been used to describe Dan Kelly’s songs, the latest single especially. So what is it then? In what small category will we highbrow pop culturists classify this little ditty?  Pop. Kelly isn’t ashamed of it, and is one of the few troubadours who are aware that pop isn’t a dirty word.

Similar to the credo of Luke Steele of Sleepy Jackson fame, Dan Kelly makes melody the golden nuggets of his songs and wraps them in psychedelic eccentricities.  ‘Babysitters...’ does this by phasing into a full flown song following forty-five seconds of guitar feedback and tinkling keyboards, setting up the vocal melody with intricate arrangements and a catchy rhythm. The vocal melody is then crafted by the breathy Marilyn Munroe-esque vocals of Dan Kelly and mixed by excellent production allowing each section to shine. 

The whole effect is mystical and incredibly catchy.  It’s a great peek at what’s to come when the album Drowning in the Fountain of Youth is released and we get a full sized follow up to debut aria nominated LP, Sing the Tabloid Blues.  Dan Kelly is a national treasure and this latest single is just one more reason why.