Dearhunters - Red, Wine And Blue

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

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The debut album by Australia's The Dearhunters is a mellow, laid back offering of country flavoured pop songs. Comprising of one girl and three guys, all the members of The Dearhunters have their roots in other Australian bands such as The Clouds and The Verys, but perhaps it is guitarist / vocalist Greg Hitchcock who is best known internationally for playing in the group You Am I. They had an excellent album out in 1997 called 'Hourly Daily' although it's mod-ish early Who sound is far removed from the music on show here. Recorded in a hippie beach shack 'Red Wine and Blue' sounds like the group were enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and were inspired to come up with some beautiful, bittersweet songs. As Jodi Phillis, one of the main songwriters on the album, who plays guitar, bass and keyboards as well as contributing sweet, dreamy vocals , said "We've always made sure everything was relaxed and sounded like we are a bunch of friends getting together and playing some music. We just completely did what was in our hearts". A good description of the feeling in these songs. First track, 'Mr. Katherine', is a true story written by vocalist / guitarist Tim Oxley, the other main songwriter on the album, about an over protective father constantly ringing his daughter to check up on her after she left home for the first time. Harmony laden and pushed along by some gorgeous guitar, which would slot easily into the last couple of Jayhawks albums, it is a sad but graceful opener to the album. Some lovely slide guitar by Greg Hitchcock opens track two, 'Heads', which is written by Jodi Phillis. It is a dreamy, country song with Jodi proving to be a vocalist well worth looking out for in the future. Then it is onto 'All Over Now' written by Tim Oxley again, which is a heartfelt ballad about lost love which has lovely harmonies and a sad Oxley singing "it's all over now" over and over again at the end while the guitar lines trace his tears. 'Ivy', written by Jodi for her, then, newly born daughter begins "Oh my God, now I have everything" but avoids being slushy like most paeans to offspring with lines like "To focus on instead of shit inside my head, something I can hold, she's only six weeks old". Although still retaining the sad sound of the whole album it is probably the happiest song on offer. After Oxley's melancholy 'Another Heart' , which again has a gorgeous melody, comes 'Ballerina', which is a surprise with it's backwards guitar and which adds a further dimension to the album. But these guys didn't just play the tape backwards; Phillis actually learnt the song backwards. Further proof of the commitment given to these songs. The closer, Oxley's 'Alien Ship', is another slice of classy pop with good lyrics. "I verbally abuse my friends when I get drunk, they don't wanna know the truth about themselves". I know someone like that! An album of sad but beautiful country tinged pop songs played from the heart. Apart from the hidden track, a version of Willie Nelson's 'Crazy', it deserves repeated playing and a wide audience.

Track Listing:-

1 Mr Katherine
2 Heads
3 All Over Now
4 Ivy
5 Another Heart
6 Ballerina
7 The Roman Song
8 Starling
9 Far From The Grace
10 Clothes
11 That Kind Of Love
12 Alien Ship

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