Allo Darlin’
We Come from the Same Place
(Slumberland)
Besides
poorly written music reviews and rambling directionless musings about medical
issues, this blog is littered with half formed failed efforts at short
stories. These weak efforts I have
sporadically posted have always portrayed moments in time. The goal, I suppose, is to capture immediacy
and meaning in the mundane – to find drama in the unspoken and undone. Maybe this is part of why I draw so much from
Allo Darlin’ (silly name aside),
because singer Elizabeth Morris’
lyrics effortlessly paint emotional moments in time in so few words. She can convey more imagery and meaning in
one stanza than I could ever achieve in 4,000 bumbling words.
Allo Darlin’
have always evoked the emotional depth and poeticism of the legendary Go-Betweens, along with the simple
charm of The Lucksmiths (especially
their final LP 2008’s First Frost) –
two long time favorites. We Come from the Same Place is their
third long player and it has a come with high expectations. I was a little lukewarm with their 2010
debut, but once I made the effort to listen to the 2012 second album, Europe, I discovered that they were on
to something pretty damn special (my #2 pick for record of the year – see
review here), and it has remained on
heavy rotation ever since. There’s often
a fear of what may come from a newly favorite band. Will they stick to the same formula? Will they expand and grow? Will they somehow stay true to the spark that
first drew us to them? It’s a no win
scenario for most artists. If they don’t
develop, people will eventually lose interest.
If they broaden their horizons, there’s no way to know if their fan base
will follow them down that path (and then disparage them for making the
effort). Allo Darlin’ somehow managed
the ultimate trick from debut to album number two, by sticking to the same
formula, but making it sound more powerful and poignant. The same cannot be said of the transition
from Europe
to this latest release, but despite sticking to their guns this is still
fresh. Maybe their strengths lie in the
sheer friendliness of their sound and Morris’ words. Paul
Rains’ fresh and endlessly melodic guitar leads, Bill Bottling’s deep bass lines, and Mike Collins’ spiky drums fills are comforting, while Morris’ rich
vocals and her sentimental vignettes of love found, lost, or missed from all
over the world feel like postcards from one’s oldest and dearest friend. Their music contains a warmth and lushness
that feels welcoming.
The album
opens with the endearing “Heartbeat,” a tale of a drunken night out dancing
with friends – probably in an effort to get over a recent break-up, so the fun
and games is entrenched in lingering heartbreak (“I’m starting to think true
romance is fictional”). There actually
seems to be a lot of drinking across many of these stories. The wine comes out in “Angela” as Morris does
her best to help a friend get through a recent break-up and one absolutely
heartbreaking chorus: “And the hardest thing we ever have to learn is when
those we love don’t love us in return.”
Meanwhile, “Kings and Queens” (originally released on the 2012 Where It’s At Is Where You Are Records 7777777 singles club release) finds our narrator hopping from bar
to bar and feeling the high of being in love and having fun. Rains joins Morris on vocals in the sweet
duet “Bright Eyes” - reminding a little of the gone too soon Standard Fare, except things are okay
here. It’s nice to hear Rains unleash a
little buzz and feedback on his guitar as this song climaxes. The entire band brings an edge to “Half Heart
Necklace,” where we find Morris delving into a song about falling for the bad
guy. There’s more upbeat pop perfection
with “Romance and Adventure” – a song filled with mixed emotions, but the
dreamy chorus put things on hold for a brief moment as Morris admits a need to
revel in her sadness (“I’m just tired of being strong”). It’s this open hearted honesty that is Allo
Darlin’s strength. When their earnest
and tangibly genuine music plays, one can feel the passion of each song long
before delving into the vivid short story lyrics.
We Come from the Same Place ultimately comes to a happy
ending. The final three songs, though
fraught with uncertainty, come to the realization and acceptance of finding
love and a willingness to let go and enjoy the adventure. The anticipation and nervous excitement of
the record’s closing song, “Another Year,” is absolutely bursting in the slow
glide and bounce of the music, while Morris describes a sketchy plane trip into
the unknown and the beginning of a new life.
Because it feels so real, it is ultimately encouraging and
inspirational. Another lovely album.
Allo Darlin' "Romance and Adventure"
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