Seabellies, The - Heart Heart Heart Out (Single)
» The Essential Festival - Gaelic Club, The, NSW - April 25, 2007
From the very first moments of sweet guitar melodies, enchanting vocals and hushed, inviting drums, you know you’re tuned in to the Seabellies station.
The first of a series of single digital releases, Heart Heart Heart Out marks a new direction for this Newcastle outfit, yet down a familiar path. Following the high level of success with their independent EP Wave Your Fingers To Make The Winters, The Seabellies are pushing this and other forthcoming singles in anticipation of a full length album next year.
The artwork, although only to be accessed online, is as gorgeous as always is the Seabellies style. It’s a graphic interpretation, with what looks like rocks in the ocean, the bottoms of jellyfish and snow covered mountains – I guess summing up what a “seabelly” could be, yet leaving one to ponder the picture as they listen to this fantastically catchy tune.
“Take your Heart Heart Heart Out in the dead of the night”, leads us into a tremendously sing-along chorus, with Trent Grenell’s (vocals, guitar, percussion) vocals pairing beautifully with Stephanie Setz’s (backing vocals, melodica, keys, bass), the synth in the background giving the short but effective chorus more depth and character.
In what is becoming a signature move for this band, there is a typical breakdown in the middle of the song, the bridge filled with bursting choral vocals and stripped back instrumentation (although a think a bit of cheeky xylophone snuck in there!).
To listen closely to the lyrics is to listen to a classic conversation one might have with a problematic lover; “You say that love, is not enough, you say your love is not enough…you take the fire from all your lies”. It cuts straight to your heart and unlaces any emotional ties you might have in there. Trent’s voice really sets the mood for this song, he carries the lyrics dynamically and conveys the apparent meaning well.
Heart Heart Heart Out, whilst probably not the strongest Seabellies song I have heard, is definitely a good one, with a fine hint of what may be to come. Already getting plenty of JJJ airplay, this single is a solid one and a great introduction for music listeners who may be yet to experience this unique and exciting act.
I am so eager to hear more and more of these digital singles – it’s an interesting format and I hope it serves them well. A full length release from The Seabellies next year could be all they need to their brand of indieness to the next level.
