Proudly laying claim to being the first band ever to play the Deni Blues and Roots Easter Festival this year, Melbourne four-piece Howlin’ Steam Train’s latest EP Green Jelly, is as enticingly wobbly and bright as the refined dessert itself.
It is the band’s third release, produced by Steven Schram, who produced their second musical offspring, but has also worked with rising soul starlets Clairy Browne and The Banging Rackettes, pop-explosions San Cisco, and rockers The Vasco Era.
At only four tracks, the band do a sterling effort at expressing the band’s versatility and range in this EP, taking the listener on a rather thorough musical journey in a mere 12-and-a-half minutes.
Opening track “Chinatown,” chugs along at a steady pace, luring listeners in early and encouraging unified foot taps.
“Over The Bend,” gets cosy in the middle of the record and expresses a little more raggedness, seeming to loosen the proverbial tie as the collective charge on.
Penultimate track “Shine” is the tale of loss and heartbreak, and boasts impressive female back-up vocals from Melbourne artist Mojo Juju, the suave creator of music that would apparently “make a bishop kick a hole through a stained-glass window.”
“Shine” provides a slower lead into the pumping beat and energy elicited instantly on the first half of the EP. It swoons and swells, only to be chased out by closing track “Boogie,” a bellowed demand by the band to employ the said verb, and frankly, it’s hard to imagine a live show where punters wouldn’t heed the quartet’s warning.
Ending rather suddenly and with the sound of scattered applause, there is an enticing larrikinism and truckloads of enthusiasm in Green Jelly, and listeners can happily indulge in Howlin’ Steam Train’s brief burst of overwhelming intensity and musical fervour.
