Loopholes

Following the release of the excellent 2012 Tee Pee EP, surf coast bluesmen The Murlocs set almost unreal expectations for a full-length release. A blistering Sunday afternoon performance at Meredith Music Festival in the same year only proved to raise the standards.

After almost two years since their last release, during which time three quarters of the album was lost after producer Stu Mackenzie’s laptop was stolen, and their debut LP Loopholes is finally here.

Opener ‘Control Freak’ immediately introduces the strengths of this local quintet to the listener. The wailing blues harp from frontman Ambrose Kenny-Smith and neck-bobbing groove of the rhythm section is irresistible.

Unfortunately the blistering energy that’s present on the previous EP is harder to find on this album. The new r n’b-tinged single ‘Paranoid Joy’ definitely attracts attention with its soulful feel and jangly guitars. Songs like ‘Save Me Now’ and ‘Lonely Clown’ however, suffer from the vocals feeling too distant and washed in reverb.

Perhaps the delays and setbacks the band have experienced while trying to get the record done has somewhat sapped their vibrancy. By no means is it a difficult listen, but there certainly isn’t the cohesion they’ve shown before.

‘Space Cadet’ is clearly the benchmark. The vocals are prominent, allowing the distinctive blues growl of the frontman to punch through on top of the catchiest riff of these 10 songs. This is the track to get the whole body moving, a song that really captures the band’s spirit.

Whilst this debut may not reach the heights of the group’s previous offerings, there are certainly stand out moments. Couple that with their formidable live sound and there’s no doubt The Murlocs will exceed those initial expectations in the future.

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