Bored Nothing’ s debut record, the brainchild of Melbourne’s Fergus Miller, is an infectiously fun and addictive album filled with fuzzy guitars and raw vocals.
Featuring nine songs from Miller’s four previous EPs, as well as five new songs, the record clocks in at just under an hour, but manages to remain interesting, with the introduction of new and intriguing elements throughout the 14 tracks.
‘Shit For Brains’ opens the album with bright, twangy guitars and tongue-in-cheek lyrics delivered in a playful manner by Miller, featuring a brilliant chorus of “it’s hard for me to say / that we’ve all got shit for brains.”
Amusingly honest lyrics such as these are prevalent throughout the record, with Miller speaking of a relaxed youth and heartbreak while never taking himself too seriously, adding a charming quality to the garage rock sounds.
‘Popcorn’ prominently displays a driving bass line accompanied by catchy guitar hooks and Miller’s restrained vocals, while still maintaining the raw, garage sounds of the album as a whole.
Fergus Miller has been dubbed the “4-track wizard” due to his fondness of the recording technique, and this certainly adds an intimate feel to the album, adding the DIY feel of a live performance, as if Miller is playing right next to you in your living room.
‘Get Out Of Here’ introduces acoustic guitar to the mix, which perfectly complements Miller’s vulnerable vocals, creating a nostalgic, melancholic song that contrasts with much of the material on the album.
The overall sound brings to mind the carefree sounds of the likes Real Estate and the slacker surfer style of Wavves or Best Coast.
On his debut self-titled album, Bored Nothing delivers a thoroughly enjoyable mix of slacker garage rock and more restrained acoustic sounds to create a cohesive record that gets better with repeated listens.
