Some say Australia is a very nice place to spend your life, saying it's the safest place on earth with its protective system for its citizens. I know it's kind of dumb for thinking that any band that is from a more "wealthy place", like Australia, will always have its own privilege to get known wider around the globe though everyone should have the same opportunity and it's just "how far" you can actually go with your own music.
We cannot deny that Australia has some notable artists and bands that have paved its way to be recognized by the world. Well, of course I'm talking about the punk scene here: let's say some names like Frenzal Rhomb to a more modern act like Camp Cope. At least that's what pops up in my mind though those two bands were like “Pluto and Mercury”.
The Clever References is a quality band that has potentials in my opinion and the band just have to wait for its "big break". The album Hamish's House is a series of live recordings by The Clever References recorded at Hamish's house (and I assume that Hamish is the band's best friend or best fan ?!#). The album contains the band's performance and some jokes and conversations as they did the recording session. A fun fact is that all the tracks in this recording were recorded on one take thing. Whoa! They must have been practicing so many times so they can do the whole things in one take.
The album starts with some kind of soundcheck -- I don't know why do they put this kind of thing first. The real first track actually starts on the third track called "Aesthetic Boys, Aesthetic Girls." It's a damn fine tune. It has a chorus that'll easily stuck in your head and I guess it's about its chorus' melodies that were so easy to sing along to.
Next is a track called "Of Melbourne, Victoria." It’s a track that has a real great part on its verse. If I could describe, listening to this song is like Skid Row in a more indierock form. The reason why I mention Skid Row is because its unique vocal melody (Yes, it is unique when we're talking about song writing on any indie rock bands standard) and this also marks the band's diversity.
Moving to the next track, "Good Society (A Jane Austen Roleplaying Game)," I feel a parody vibe here. Yes that twinkle guitar style and, I know, Ash! However, it is a still good tune to listen to. I love how the song flows. The Clever References is naturally good at making an emo song feel honest.
Overall this album is good. I like the song writing, love the song melodies on it, love the recording quality as well BUT its track listing is a negative. I would say that putting everyone's favorite songs at the front of album and letting the least favorite at the end of the album is not a good thing to do. You know when you put a real good song at the end of the album, it will make anyone wanting to listen on repeat.
Hamish's House is an exclusive release -- on its press release the band states that the album were only put out on bandcamp and no other streaming places like Spotify, Deezer, etc. Yes, buy the record on bandcamp and let the band gets the real money.
