Rackets and Fives - Roslyn

  by Andy Cassidy

published: 12 / 11 / 2011

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'Roslyn' is the debut album from Perth six piece Rackets and Fives, the latest in a line of impressive bands to come out of Western Australia. Opening track 'Good Behaviour' flits effortlessly between full-blown rock blow-out and a tender, acoustic guitar and violin backed ballad. It’s a terrifically infectious song, with excellent musicianship and a great vocal. The album continues with first single 'Peyton Place'. This song has everything: a big, ballsy brass section, some great indie-style guitar work, impressive vocal harmonies and a great beat which will have toes tapping wherever the song is played. 'Peyton Place' is a cracking single, and while many other tracks on the album have single potential, in my opinion this is far and away the most radio-friendly. The pace slows slightly with the understated 'Ellis Island', an exercise in subtlety in restraint. Again, the instrumentation is faultless, and the song is rounded off by a wandering violin track. Second single 'London Town' is yet another piece of wonderful instrumentation, starting with a gentle slide guitar and acoustic guitar backing. The song’s gentle opening leads into a piece which is pure mid-period R.E.M. Again, the vocals and instrumentation are excellent, and the violin line is simultaneously wandering and assured. The song bursts into life around the three minute mark, and the band really open up, showing that their ability to rock out is up there with their musicality and composition skills. The short and sweet 'Summer’s Here' is a charming little song. Clocking in at just under two minutes, it’s an exercise in micro-pop perfection. The song’s fragility is its strength, and the crystalline vocal emphasises the air of vulnerability. The album closes with 'The Confederate Gold Stand-Off Sag'a, a song which sounds like the Old West has been transported to Western Australia. This track reminded me of some of the better Americana/alt.country artists – it has the musical and lyrical quality with none of the over-wrought emotion so often evident in the genre. Roslyn is an ambitious and inspired album. Technically, it is particularly accomplished, both in the band’s playing and in Lorenzo Sinagra’s production. Recently, I’ve become aware of more and more bands from Perth, WA, and the general standard has been very high. Rackets and Fives’ 'Roslyn' is up there with the best of them'.

Track Listing:-

1 Good Behaviour
2 Peyton Place
3 Ellis Island
4 London Town
5 Chills
6 Storm Surge
7 Summer's Here
8 Rust Bucket
9 Hangman
10 . The Confederate Gold Stand-Off Saga

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/Rackets-and-Fives-219367258073454/
https://racketsandfives.wordpress.com/

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