The Boat People - 'Chandeliers' (Shock)

A touch of sunshine and a heavy dose of the 60’s have clearly gone into the making of ‘Chandeliers’, the second album by Aussie band The Boat People. Riding on the back of the glossy pop of The Shins and their ilk, 'Chandeliers' is the perfect relaxed pop album. Free of mass production, the home grown song writing and loving touches put into their work is undoubtedly the reason why The Boat People draw comparisons with that other great Antipodean band, Crowded House.

Yet there is further depth to this album than some of the more 2-Dimensional American pop group. ‘Chandeliers’ is far more considered, with the slightly gritty ‘Unsettle My Heart’ with its Dandy Warhol touches providing some texture. Equally The Boat People have delved deeply into the sounds of the Summer of Love and come out trumps. ‘Tell Someone Who Cares’ is a spine tingly blend of harmonised vocals and tingling guitars that descends into a cathartic chorus before melting back into the perfect pop tune.

At times songs descend into a fatigued take on The Raconteurs, who aren’t exactly the most high energy of bands anyway. But that was never the intention. Even at their most frantic, the tripping ‘Destination’, the band is so relaxed that you can easily imagine them recording this album from giant bean bag chairs. And they still sound great.

Easily though this is the highlight of their charm. The release of ‘Chandeliers’ in a grim, wet November is the instant mental solution to your natural body’s urge to go into hibernation with its lullaby tones. And by evoking a summer that never was, this record on will also make you feel at last 2° C warmer at least. For your moods and for your heating bill, this winter warmer is strongly suggested.