Rrocklobster of Perth
Adelaide
(Anchorhead, May 2015)
The Hard Aches have
built an army of friends and acquaintances who are always eager for them to
tour. The growing success of the Adelaide band is a result of their
everyone’s-invited party spirit, and the emotional connection that Ben David
creates with audiences through the delivery of lyrics that tug at the
heartstrings of hyper-emotional skate-punk kids who are surprised to find
themselves in their mid-twenties.
The arrival of album
Pheromones was warmly received by their community of fans and there’s no doubt that
fans would have spent much of the last week diligently studying the album ready
for the mid-year examination (the album tour, which starts in Sydney tonight).
Punchy tracks that we’ve come to expect from the Adelaide duo are sure to be
audience favourites, including Old Man
Hands and I Get Like This which
has been building momentum ever since Rachael Barrett filmed that acoustic video in the backyard of The Bird last year.
Pheromones builds on
the foundation that EP Organs and Airports laid, and proves that Ben David and
Alex Upton are a well-synchronised pair that are obviously under each other’s
skin. Perth fans are already discussing Ben David’s vocals, which have evolved
into something much stronger and smoother than before. Opening track, This Year, starts with just Ben and his
guitar. It’s a full minute until drums kick in to remind us that this is The
Hard Aches and not another solo operation.
Upton’s drumming is
well paced and matches the energy of each new moment on the album. A band can
do well with less than a handful of instruments only if the music is well
written and played and skilfully, two targets which The Hard Aches hit right in
the bulls-eye. Projects this can’t happen without the collaboration of good
friends*, and the pairs’ work is supported with a bassist throughout. Group
vocals on We All Do are sure to be
replicated by crowds on tour.
In typical Ben David
fashion, songs are always sung to a mystery ‘you,’ and feature familiar themes
like the struggle with adulthood, broken hearts and airports. Always airports.
A vocal harmony appears on a few tracks including Old Souls, where she sings just a beat behind Ben and appears to
finish his sentences. She disappears for a while and comes back just when
you’re about to lose any hope you had of her return – symbolic or just a
well-crafted song?
Thorough testing by
the lobster proves this album is suitable for all scenarios, including but not
limited to driving, cooking, sitting, standing and waiting. It’s great for
early in the morning, and late at night. It’s predicted that the songs will
become party favourites too.
Press the loop button
and leave it on repeat all night.
Article by
Rrocklobster of Perth Adelaide Radelaide Perth
*Names of collaborating musicians have not been
included with the digital release.
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