Nicholas Allbrook’s main band Pond makes quality records of throwback psych/glam and performs live shows that are something to tell your friends about, with Allbrook a junkie soul captain out front. But it’s always felt like he’s capable of much more than what fits with that band’s bombastic slant.
Ganough, Wallis & Fatuna, the first record released under Allbrook’s own name, comes good on the promised potential of his idiosyncratic talent. He moves freely between dreamy falsetto and ocker-tongued speak-singing. Accordingly, the lyrics range from confessional – “Nothing in my heart” – to Dylan-esque surrealism: “Omniscient beings wouldn’t choose to live in the gutter”.
The choruses contain enough lip-smacking melody to suggest that Allbrook could easily match the sing-along quality of Yoshimi-era Flaming Lips. Instead, he frequently detours into experimental or just plain fucked-up territory.
While Ganough, Wallis & Fatuna proves Allbrook is a dexterous and crafty musician, a crucial level of simplicity is maintained throughout. There are plenty of clever chord patterns and the brilliant disfiguring of seemingly well-behaved songs, but Allbrook makes sure each song is worth listening to first.
4/5.
Ganough, Wallis & Fatunais out now through Spinning Top.
