Herd, The - Summerland (Album)
» The Herd trample of a town near you this August - June 7, 2006
» The Herd - Metro Theatre, The, NSW - August 15, 2008
» The Herd - ANU Union Bar, ACT - August 8, 2008
» The Herd - Metro Theatre, The, NSW - October 21, 2005
The Herd were game releasing their 4th full length album Summerland in the middle of winter. Everything, from the name (obviously), down to the warm feel of the artwork, to the cruisy vibe of the music; alludes to a hot summer’s day, driving around with the windows down, or sitting at a barbie with a cold beer in your hand…
Luckily, somehow this brilliantly cohesive album works in the midst of Australian winter also!
Harking back to their roots to write Summerland, which happens to be the sunny Central Coast in winter 2007, the 8 extremely talented "Elefants” (as referred to in their bio – in reference to them all being involved with hip hop label Elefant Traks) have surprisingly produced something quite lush for a hip hop record, with 14 songs rich with strings, brass and great harmonies.
Opening track 2020 is such a perfect introduction to the album, getting the audience bouncing immediately with its catchy beat and a few naughty words thrown in for fun.
High rotation Triple J (JJJ) single The King Is Dead is certainly a highlight of this album, with Jane Tyrrell’s signature vocals all over it.
Jane makes this album what it is - her unique singing between verses and through choruses makes Summerland more accessible to mainstream audiences, who may not have been into hip hop before listening to The Herd. Her singing on this entire album also gives The Herd a bit of an edge over other Aussie hip hop acts around at the moment. It takes hip hop to a new, intelligent level, aided by the political undertones that permeate this record. The Herd make “smart hip hop” in a literal sense.
Zug Zug, just over half way through Summerland, is another favourite. Receiving JJJ airplay as well, this song almost opens like the theme from Austin Powers, and mentions the Cambridge Hotel in Newcastle, which is close to home. Jane drives the chorus, which is an easily sing-along number.
In contrast, the final track on Summerland,The Next Movement, allows the audience to be carried away with minimal vocals and beautifully chilled instrumental sections, without taking the mood down too much.
The only track that really didn’t cut it (or fit for that matter) was Toorali placed towards the end of Summerland. This track is seemingly trying to emulate the success of The Herd’s cover of I Was Only 19, first performed in 2005, that took the country by storm. Toorali incorporates the traditional “Toorali orrali addity” ditty, as well as the traditional tune, with does nothing but simply annoy.
Aside from this though, Summerland, from the gorgeous cover art (partly designed by Jane), through to the majority of tracks featured, is a highly respectable statement from The Herd. Each release from these talented “Elefants” gets better and better, and a 5th album is already highly anticipated.
