Anne Of
The Wolves – Rainmaker (Independent)
Some group names are simply more enigmatic than
others, and Anne Of The Wolves is a fine example. Fortunately, the Melbourne,
Victoria quintet make music that’s almost as inscrutable and mysterious as
their name suggests, and “Rainmaker” (their five-track debut EP) thrills and
chills in equal measure. They combine dark folk tones, gypsy jazz, sultry blues
and a reliably melancholic pop sensibility, which makes them wonderfully
accessible. Names like Opal, Mazzy Star and All About Eve spring readily to
mind, though Anne Of The Wolves raise the bar with ambitious instrumentation
and their openness to less explored genres.
The group (Bek Chapman - voice, piano, ukulele /
Nathaniel Poynter - clarinet, saxophone, tin whistle, flute / Andrew
"Dr" Watson - electric guitar, violin / Hayley Jones-Buckley - double
bass) / Matt Gibson - percussion) open their account with the ethereal “See Mary Run”. Chapman’s vocal possesses a purity that
will remind older acid-folk fans of Marianne Segal or the Mellow Candle girls.
The title track moves to a European jazz beat, with Poynter’s clarinet
emphasizing Chapman’s flight, and Jones-Buckley’s agile bass leading the dance.
The carnival-esque “Blue & Black” inhabits
the same spaces as Tom Waits’ “Swordfishtrombones” and “Rain Dogs” records –
with desperately spooky backing vocals, and an episodic arrangement.
Phil S.
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