Autumn Isles - Kaleidoscopes

  by Andy Cassidy

published: 12 / 9 / 2011

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Sun, swagger and exuberance are the three words that I would use to describe 'Kaleidoscopes', the first LP from Perth five-piece the Autumn Isles. The album opens with 'Sun Soaked Horizon', a gutsy, guitar-driven rocker with fabulous vocals by lead singer Alex Arpino. Loud, but never overbearing, the track, despite heavily distorted guitars, has a terrific, catchy melody underpinned by some terrific rhythm playing. First single, 'Mystery to Hide', sits comfortably between rock and pop. At first listen a simple rocker, a second and third listen reveals a magnificent production of epic proportions – dense, but never cluttered. 'Throwing Stones', a more poppy offering than its predecessors, benefits from some terrific instrumentation – Brian Wilson-style percussion flourishes, 'Revolver'-era Beatles horns, an absolutely kicking bass-line all underpinned by a simple piano line - all building to an almost overpowering explosion of musical joy: think 'A Day in the Life' without the melancholy. Jaunty rocker 'Beautiful Pantomime' owes a great deal to the Beach Boys and the Beatles with its chiming 'It’s Getting Better' guitars, 'Mr Kite' organ runs and 'Pet Sounds' bells, but manages to carry its own sense of individuality despite its obvious inspirations. It is difficult to say what I enjoyed most about this album. The band’s playing is incredible (in particular Russell Loasby’s percussion), the songwriting is catchy, bright and infectious, the vocals are fantastic (Alex Arpino is more than competent, but when the band put together a block harmony at the beginning of Of 'A Setting Sun', the effect is reminiscent of Fleet Foxes at their finest) and the overall mood is refreshingly free from the angst and moping so prevalent in today’s chart fare. The album works very well on two levels; firstly, it is a terrific collection of stand-alone songs, any one of which could, in my opinion, be released as a successful single; secondly, it’s a terrific album when heard as a unified piece, upbeat, accomplished, and creative. Each song, and indeed the album as a whole, could be the anthem of a sun-drenched festival in the near-future. All in all, a fantastic debut.

Track Listing:-

1 Sun Soaked Horizon
2 Mystery to Hide
3 Throwing Stones
4 Leave It All Behind
5 Into December
6 Just Like The Others
7 Of A Setting Sun
8 Voices
9 Beatiful Pantomime
10 If Your Love Is Blind
11 Searchlights
12 Isolation
13 Runaway
14 Fire Away

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