Little Red - Listen to Little Red (Album)
» Little Red announce 3rd Melbourne show - August 1, 2008
» Homebake - Domain, The, NSW - December 6, 2008
» Little Red - Manning Bar - Sydney University, NSW - October 23, 2008
» Little Red - Breakin' and Makin' - December 3, 2007
» Little Red - Cambridge Hotel, NSW - August 21, 2008
» Little Red - Ding Dong Lounge, Vic - November 8, 2007
So I did. And I sure do hope this copy of the band’s debut long-player they’ve sent me isn’t the finished, mastered copy they hope to give to the ever-waiting fans. Allow me to expand. Little Red have become much loved Australia, burgeoning from a cult act to damn near selling out the Corner Hotel to a, shall we say, unusual appearance on Neighbours.
This album showcases some fan favourites (Coca Cola, Jackie Cooper and current single Witchdoctor) as well as bringing some newer tracks brimming to the surface (Isabella, Autumn Leaves) but, as a loyal Little Redder, I am left slightly disenchanted. Having seen the boys in the live flesh scores of times, I can vouch for their dynamism, and this CD only half meets that mark. It feels somewhat hollow; as if they were only given a meagre amount of studio time in which to record, and simply put the first take on each song to CD. The songs have the notes right, and the lyrics all sync up and all that; there’s nothing wrong here technically speaking. The production is greatly refined for a local band, I can’t fault them there. But it doesn’t quite capture the soul, savvy?
Anyway, enough bad vibes: Little Red are awesome. You know that, I know that, and you will love this record. It is more than enough to get you through the long, lonely nights in which you are not seeing Little Red live (which, considering their current touring schedule, isn’t gonna be too often) and will get you kids shakin’ like nobody’s business. Personal favourite I Believe showcases occasional frontman/tambourine player Tom’s deep, swoony vocals amongst a heady blues melody. Opener Coca Cola is the happy, clappy track you’ll know off by heart after one joyous listen. And Speedo is, well, just a bit sexy, I reckon. Rawr.
I guess my point being (yeah, I had one) is that this particular recording, catchy and effervescent though it may be, doesn’t quite capture the energy of the band’s live act. I know the adage, “they’re better live” is usually a cop-out, but you gotta believe me on this one. Buy the ticket; take the ride, as a great man once said. Have I ever steered you wrong before?
