- Melbourne’s ever-reliable Left Ear Records are just about to drop a compilation of bizarro music from New Zealand and Australia called Antipodean Anomalies. Ever ones for the archival release, they have proven themselves to be one of the best reissue labels in Australia – along with Dual Planet and Efficient Space - re-releasing little known home-grown gold. Most recently I reviewed their compilation of Peter Westheimer tracks. Antipoden Anomalies is a different kettle of fish entirely.
Proceedings kick off with a sick track by Olev Muska, a traditional Estonian folk song matched with drum machine and computer rhythms. Delaney/Venn provide some freewheeling dub. Not too heavy on the delay, parts cycling in and out. Don’t Ask by Free Radicals starts of with a pretty standard post-punk/new wave riff and bass combo before it gets strange.
Pan flute fluctuates and bizarre vocals snippets and sound effects drag the song down into chaos before being brought back. Toy Division’s Melbourne Winter is a minimal synth track that evokes the dreary weather of Melbourne. It is similarly unpredictable too, becoming heavily distorted at points. This is juxtaposed with sweet melodies. He Whakapapa starts off with an otherworldly wind section, before what sounds like a broken drum machine and/or heartbeat propel us forward. Beautiful vocal harmonies come in (along with wave sounds!).The inclusion of first nations' music is vital. It sounds both fresh and ancient simultaneously – truly timelessness.
Metaphoric Allusions is another one that starts off having you think that this might be some standard, jangly-fair. Things aren’t as they seem though: the instrumental diverges quickly from the norm. A great string arrangement adds much to the song, as well as some synth effects. Nic Lyon’s Woody is a favourite. Zither or guqin (or some string instrument I cant put my finger on) is anchored by drum machine, a staccato synth sequence and bassline. Various strings swell, rise and fall. Totally wild track - really outstanding.
Helen Ripley-Marshall serves up a smooth, ambient track (with another strong string arrangement!). Finally, a comp like this wouldn’t be complete with some spoken word, provided by Rainbow Generator.
Despite suffering from the cultural cringe in addition to the tyranny of distance, Australia and New Zealand have been at the forefront of experimental modes of creation. I’ve said it once and I no doubt will say it again - Left Ear has pulled through and in magnificent style.
- Hillfolk.