Playing Country

Ode to Sunshine
Delta Spirit
Rounder, 2008
3.5 stars

Named after the taxidermy business of the band’s bass player’s uncle (his mug graces the album’s cover), this Californian 5-piece’s major label debut strives to sound like ‘the good old days’, and for the most part succeeds. Ode to Sunshine sees these reformed emos half-way across the bridge between inner-city indie rock and alt country - their bindles are stocked with acoustic guitar, twinkling piano keys and wavering harmonica, but their Chuck Taylors are still grubby with club floor grime. Songs such as People Turn Around have a real '60s feel, though others are more of-the-moment – it’s easy to cringe at the flannelette-wearing city kids ‘playing country’ on a bush festival weekend, but there’s nothing wrong with wanting a slice of the simple life.

Artwork: B+
If I was 'Uncle Red', I'd be stoked with this tribute. It's been tastefully put together, and combined with some nice studio shots from the band it makes for a nice all-round package. The photos on the front and back of the booklet are like a cross-generation 'cheers', the photos probably taken decades apart.

Published in mX, Thursday August 28, 2008.