The Lucksmiths broke up just over a year ago now, and they’re finally giving us what they promised at the time — a posthumous single of what may have been their last original recordings. The single is titled Get-To-Bed Birds after the A-side track, and it is available via Lost & Lonesome Records of Australia and Matinee Records in the US.

The B-side is titled “The World of Professional Golf 1994″. Limited to 1000 copies, the single is hand-numbered with half (evens) going to Matinee and half (odds) going to Lost & Lonesome.

I feel that most things that can be said about The Lucksmiths already have been said, and probably in a more eloquent fashion than any words I can conjure. So I’ll just let the good tune speak for itself. They’ve made “Get-To-Bed Birds” available as a free sneak peek:

Download: “Get-To-Bed Birds” by The Lucksmiths

Another Cover Art piece transferred over from that site, this time covering three out of print singles by one of the greatest Australian bands to ever exist — The Lucksmiths. The band may no longer be together, but their music stands just as strong as it did one the day it was released, be it from their humble beginnings in the early 1990s to their final release just a year or so ago. Here’s the original post:

Matinée Recordings recently sent out one of their occasional newsletters, and it included a note that immediately caught my attention. In the cleaning out of their storage room, they found a box or so of old deleted singles, items that until then were thought to be out of print. This news applied to artists like Harper Lee, The Fairways, and, one of my favorites, The Lucksmiths.

Of course, I couldn’t help but indulge a bit. Here are a few snapshots from the “dig.”

The list, chronologically:
Untidy Towns [1998]
Southernmost [1999]
T-Shirt Weather [2001]

If you dig Australian indie pop, obviously influenced by the twee movement and (no surprise) The Smiths, this band is for you!

It’s been a hair under three years since the last proper Math & Physics Club release, an EP titled Baby I’m Yours, and just about four since their debut and only LP, 2006′s Math & Physics Club. Prior to the so-called hiatus, the band had been quite busy, also participating in a single compilation in ’06 and two additional EPs back in ’05. One might have gotten the impression the band was no more. Thankfully, they would have been wrong. The band is back with a new album titled I Shouldn’t Look As Good As I Do, and tagging along is a new drummer — Chris Mac, owner of Jigsaw Records and IndiePages and former guitarist of Suretoss and percussionist of Patients Please.

The sound of “Jimmy Had A Polaroid” is familiar, maintaining that light pop sound one can liken to the nerdy kid in big glasses, tight-knit sweaters, and the inevitable brainy book under the arm (and likely a fair share of records stashed at home by favorites like Belle & Sebastian and Elvis Costello and perhaps even Burt Bacharach). Despite the lengthy time since the band’s prior release, the sound is the same, save a slightly higher emphasis on bass (Ethan Jones) and Mac’s percussion. Remaining tried and true are Charles Bert’s soft, romantic vocals and guitarist James Werle’s playful, plucked jangle. It’s worth a listen… or five.

“Jimmy Had A Polaroid” can be found on I Shouldn’t Look As Good As I Do, out now on Matinee Recordings. The label also released a single of the song, so don’t forget to pick that one up too!

Download: “Jimmy Had A Polaroid” by Math & Physics Club

Brighton, England’s Lovejoy is like every other lovable Matinee Records artist in that the songs take you back to a day when Sarah Records ruled the land with indie pop artists that have come to influence a lot of the music I listen to today. Other definites with Matinee releases are Morrissey and The Smiths references and retro covers. A Taste of the High Life is no different with its ancient indy-car cover and Morrissey-style pop.

While not necessarily as jangly as other artists that fall into the genre of twee, the other components make Lovejoy and twee a perfect match. “Getting Away With It All” kicks off the A-Side as soft vocals compliment synthesizers and a few light acoustic guitars with an electric hiding in the mix. It is the mirror image of the second B-Side track, “Winter L.D.”, which mixes in spoken vocals that echo behind the instrumental version of the A-Side. “Merry Go Round”, the first B-Side track, is filled with la-las, upbeat vocals, and a quickly strummed acoustic. Lovejoy produces lazy summer music perfect for a warm Sunday afternoon.

This review was originally published June 26, 2006 on the old version of FensePost.

Matinee Records [7" Single, 2000]

1. Getting Away With It All
2. Merry Go Round
3. Winter L.D.

The Lucksmiths’ recently hit the states on a rare tour for the Australian quartet in support of their latest album, Spring A Leak: A Collection Of B-Sides, Covers, Rarities, And Other Treasures Of The Deep. With select exclusive material, the album does take several vinyl-only tracks and gives them a digital edge. It’s the unreleased live versions and hard to find b-sides that make Spring A Leak a joy.

Even casual fans will recognize several tracks on Spring A Leak, and will likely find some new favorites — select b-sides are out of print on 7”. Other tracks are alternate versions of their more popular tunes, such as a live version of “Camera Shy” from the 3B Tavern in Bellingham [I'm currently writing from this town, visiting the girlfriend’s parents] and a previously unreleased version of “Smokers In Love” recorded live for P3 Swedish National Radio in Stockholm.

Other tracks are a bit easier to find, such as The Lucksmiths’ cover of “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths, which can be found on Romantic And Square Is Hip And Aware on Matinee Records—a lovely compilation of Matinee artists covering various songs by highly loved 80s band. Spring A Leak provides fans with an additional takeaway; it’s one of those Anthology-ish albums packed with exclusive and hard-to-find material that, simply put, gets me a bit giddy.

This review was originally published November 13, 2007 on the old version of FensePost. The Lucksmiths have since released First Frost and, two months ago, called it quits after sixteen years. Visit Lost And Lonesome for the scoop on that.

The Lucksmiths: A Hiccup In Your Happiness [mp3]

Matinee Records [2xCD, 2007]

Disc 1
1. Falling Off Of My Feet Again
2. Point Being
3. The Invention Of Ordinary Everyday Things
4. Synchronised Sinking
5. Postcard
6. The Year Of Driving Languorously
7. Even Stevens
8. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
9. Macintyre
10. The Winter Proper
11. Anyone’s Guess
12. $30
13. Get Well Now
14. A Hiccup In Your Happiness
15. Deep Sea Diving Suit
16. Punchlines
17. Snug
18. I Prefer The Twentieth Century
19. To Absent Votes
20. Make A Wish
21. Smokers In Love
22. Are You Having A Good Time?

Disc 2
1. From Macaulay Station
2. I Started A Joke
3. Once Again
4. How To Tie A Tie
5. Rushes Of Pure Spring
6. Rue Something
7. Off With His Cardigan!
8. Camera Shy
9. Requiem For The Punter’s ClubYunta Hair
10. Dignified And Old
11. Caravanna
12. The Thought That Counts
13. Up
14. Boat
15. Broken Bones
16. Danielle Steel
17. Dolly
18. Shine On Me
19. Transpontine
20. The Tichborne Claimant
21. I’ve Got It And It’s Not Worth Having
22. Your Favourite Shirt

What is the best way to debut on a record label devoted to the sweetest of indie pop? How about naming the single after a hit song from the ’80s and covering that song as the A-Side? While it may not work for every band, it works almost too well for The Snowdrops. You’ve likely heard the original by Tears for Fears. You probably even like the Gary Jules cover better after seeing it in Donnie Darko. Well, look no further as The Snowdrops have created the ultimate version of “Mad World.” I would be absolutely thrilled to have a jet engine fall out of the sky and kill me while listening to this tune. No, it’s not as sad as Jules’ version. Or as quick as the original. It is, however, pure bliss.

“Don’t Buy Anything” is short and mystical. The ballad is the perfect B-Side the the synth heavy version of “Mad World.” Pam Berry (The Pines and numerous other groups) joins Keith Girdler (Lovejoy, Blueboy, Beaumont) to compliment his soft vocals on both tracks with her rich voice that will make you fall in love with The Snowdrops in an instant. The two songs compliment each other well and fit nicely tucked between the sheets of the retro cover art.

It is difficult for me to pick a favorite artist or album from the Matinee lineup. The label is likely to be the most widely covered on this site, at least by me. In our second week up, I’ve already reviewed Math & Physics Club and have recently finished others by The Lucksmiths and Lovejoy. It is no surprise, then, that matinee is one of my favorite labels. Despite the difficulty in choosing a favorite, I do feel safe saying that the Mad World single by The Snowdrops definitely ranks high as one of my all-time favorite singles.

This review was originally published June 16, 2006 on the old version of FensePost. It continues to be one of my all-time favorite singles.

Snowdrops: Don’t Buy Anything [mp3]

Matinee Records [7" Single, 2003]

1. Mad World [7" Mix]
2. Don’t Buy Anything

“Sixteen & Pretty” may be my favorite song by Seattle indie-pop group Math & Physics Club. It is a soft ballad filled with jangle and some light strings. There is little I find sweeter than this song, featuring tambourine in the chorus and lyrics reminiscent of an innocent first kiss.

Following the trend of each song off Weekends Away, “Sixteen & Pretty” is a sure track for your next Summer Soundtrack Mix Tape or the next mix tape for that special someone.

“Sixteen & Pretty” is followed by the upbeat “Love, Again”, a summer love song with brushed percussion and a near Hawaiian-style luau jangle. “When We Get Famous” is the final and most pop-ridden track on the 4-song EP. Another pop gem, “Weekends Away” is another example that sad lyrics in pop songs are not always necessary.

Weekends Away is a unique EP. Spanning the childhood everyone wishes they had, the EP is filled with innocent joy and blissful naivety. I have never before heard such a happy set of nostalgic songs. In fact, I don’t believe a better set exists.

This review was originally published September 15, 2006 on the old version of FensePost. Above photo also by Fense.

Math And Physics Club: Weekends Away [mp3]

Matinee Records [CDEP, 2005]

1. Weekends Away
2. Sixteen And Pretty
3. Love, Again
4. When We Get Famous

I cannot decide which item I’m more excited about, the free mp3 of “Dead Hour” or the video of “Mouse Vs. Mountain” by The Guild League. This band has been around a while and hints strongly of The Lucksmiths (thanks to their indie-pop nature, Australian home, and the frontman being none other than Tali White), and their following even includes… President Obama?

Yeah, so I guess he used a line from Inner North in a speech late last month: “The quiet burden of your absence.” A bit odd, but pretty damn cool if you ask me, even if it was simply pulled from the speech-writer’s playlist.

Well the video for “Mouse Vs. Mountains” is pretty sweet, in the vein of, say, The Mountain Goats’ “Sax Rohmer #1″ but using a dictionary and stop motion photography instead. It’s worth a viewing or two. And then there’s “Dead Hour”, which, in my opinion, is worth several repeat listens. It’s a brilliant and moody pop tune that demands your attention.

The Guild League: Dead Hour [mp3]

As a child I was fascinated with the Beach Boys. Songs about surfing and care-free relations with women on the beach made my feet tap, though many of the latter references were well above my head. All that mattered was that they had hot rods on their record covers and that they looked cool. I found Brian Wilson to be not only the best looking of the bunch, but also the one with the most charm and grace. He appeared natural on the back of the cover while the rest of the group seemed a bit out of place. It is nice to hear bands like Math And Physics Club (MySpace) pay homage to the pop groups like the Beach Boys so fully and truly. Wilson’s “You’re So Good To Me” is given a fresh indie-pop sound that brings forth the nostalgia of Summer Days (And Summer Nights) and Pet Sounds and adds to it a hint of twee and jangle.

There is something oddly mystical about the light indie-pop common to Matinee Records. Whether it be the lost sounds of yesterday—a progression of how the world might sound without the heavy American influence of the past quarter century, or summer pop with supporting accented vocals from the distant lands of Europe, Australia and South America. In either respect Seattle’s Math & Physics Club (MAPC) find a welcome home at Matinee, producing a light, dreamy summer pop with songs like “Movie Ending Romance” and “White and Gray.”

The rhythm is generally kept with light strums from an acoustic guitar while the lead on a jangly electric. Featuring a violin and harmonica, “White and Gray” slows the album down with sad lyrics but “Graduation Day” brings things back up with sweet vocals and a quicker melody and tempo. Influenced by artists like Belle and Sebastian, The Lucksmiths and Morrissey, the love songs MAPC write are unforgettable.

Above photo by Fense.

This review was originally published June 16, 2006 on the old version of FensePost.

Math And Physics Club: Movie Ending Romance [mp3]

Matinee Records [CDEP, 2005]

1. Movie Ending Romance
2. White & Grey
3. Graduation Day
4. You’re So Good To Me

This material, though new, is not really new. There are so many parallels between First Frost and the earlier work of The Lucksmiths (MySpace), that it virtually dwarfs any element that could be considered a fresh direction from Australia’s pop darlings. And that is what makes First Frost both extremely comforting and a damn great album.

Take opening track “The Town & The Hills” as a prime example; it’s got all the elements that make The Lucksmiths one of the best pop groups in the world — it tells a story, includes elements of orchestration including trumpet, has memorable guitar and vocal hooks, and is totally lovable. That continues in “Good Light”, as it does throughout the rest of the album, all the way to closer “Who Turned On The Lights?”

What makes First Frost even more impressive is that it’s… like… the fifteenth album these guys have put out. And their abilities are not fading. They are not getting burned out. They’re just as strong today as they were a decade or more ago. While its late entry into the scene may knock it out of the top ten albums of the year, simply because it hasn’t had the time to sink in, you better believe it’s a damn good competitor for those prime spots. As I prepare to compile the list, who knows, it may just slip in.

The Lucksmiths: The National Mitten Registry [mp3]

Matinee Records / Lost And Lonesome Recordings [CD, 2008]

1. The Town & The Hills
2. Good Light
3. A Sobering Thought (Just When One Was Needed)
4. California In Popular Song
5. South-East Coastal Rendezvous
6. The National Mitten Registry
7. Day Three Of Five
8. Never & Always
9. Lament Of The Chiming Wedgebill
10. How We Met
11. Song Of The Undersea
12. Up With The Sun
13. Pines
14. Who Turned On The Light?