The Red Paintings - FeedThe Wolf EP

Mon 18th Jun, 2007 in Music Reviews

Feed The Wolf is the third EP released by Brisbane art-rock band The Red Paintings in as many years, and their first release funded by “the people of the world”, not by a record label: the band appealed publicly last year, asking for donations to allow this disc – initially intended as a single – to be released. Having parted ways with their previous label, Modern Music, under less than amicable circumstances, songwriter Trash McSweeney has returned with a vengeance.

The frenzied title track is representative of singer/guitarist McSweeney’s expansion as a songwriter and composer. The eerie, subdued sounds of wolves howling ill prepares the listener for the instrumental onslaught ahead; the wolf motif continues throughout, as the soaring string section imitates their call. The cello and violin add a pleasant layer of calm amid the song’s storm, as McSweeney channels his anger toward the fickle music industry that wronged his band.

Two covers are included: Sing by The Dresden Dolls, a band with which the Paintings toured the US extensively last year – imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; Mercy Seat, the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds classic, also gets a work-over. Both tracks are adequate, if unspectacular. McSweeney lamentation We Belong In The Sea and a radio edit of the title track are present; a hidden track consisting of digital wolves howling is a fitting end to another quality Red Paintings release.