Sibling rivalries in music, as in life, often run deep. We all know of the Gallagher brothers and their comic book friction, and less vindictive, but closer to home the famous Snarski brothers’ rock-out battles. The Kilbey brothers bear no such malice. But then, always being in different bands surely helps. Russell Kilbey has gone on to find fame beyond The Crystal Set and outside the music sphere. Undoubtedly the star of the clan remains the gargantuan aspect of Steve Kilbey, but here we have the third brother, John Kilbey who has gone about making his own music in an unassuming way. On Unfamiliar Places he joins three of the original Bhagavad Guitars ensemble for their first release since the early-1990s.
As for what is to be expected, Bhagavad Guitars simply continue from where they left off, plying their take on indie guitar rock. The ambition and serendipity is firmly yesteryear. This makes defining the audience this record is pitched at difficult to determine. Maybe it is the original punters with sterling memories, nostalgia nuts who want to know of bands who caused a minor buzz around inner-Sydney venues during the 1990s, or maybe it is just friends and family of the band themselves. If the latter is correct, they achieve their intent and provide some blue collar guitar spiritual twang.
The title of the package is misleading, as the recording doesn’t take us to mythical unfamiliar places. Everyone with more than an elementary appreciation of The Church has been here before. Many a time. From perfunctory guitar strum to echoey goth beats, as in Escape Goat, it’s all present here.
There’s also rank and file psychedelia which suggests that given the opportunity, Bhagavad Guitars would plan to record with ‘thick air’ like the Grateful Dead once desired. If anyone could ever grasp that concept with a clear mind. And in their attempt to be visionary, they sometimes only succeed in tying themselves in knots.
Actually, a little amount of clarity would have benefited this album. For example, on Best Day Of My Life, they triumphantly declare that “The best day of my life begins tomorrow” and just moments later advise that “I’m resigned that all my plans will be undermined”. Not such bright prospects for the future then? Narcotic references also abound. Disregard The Warning, Together We Arrive, Sea To Stay just for starters. In greater and lesser doses.
Special guests from the era, namely members of Hummingbirds and Crow add to the homely feel, as does the production of Nick Mainsbridge. This factors bring a credence that could otherwise have been a bunch of home demo’s. It is likely that Bhagavad Guitars will happily languish playing in local downhome bars, but good on them for having a crack at it after all these years, with the enthusiasm level not having waned.
Best Track: Bad Thing
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Every Brilliant Eye DIED PRETTY, the repertoire of THE CHURCH
In A Word: Dreamy
