Melbournian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dan Brodie, a two time ARIA award winner, has produced an eclectic body of work in the years following the release of his debut EP I’m Floatin’ Mama in 1998. Brodie has sounded equally comfortable working in both the alt-country and indie rock genres and has performed live in both stripped-back solo acoustic mode and as the leader of hard-hitting bands. On his fifth album, the 11-track Deep Deep Love, Brodie adopts a minimalist approach that allows the often quiet and reflective songs to shine. In addition to singing, Brodie plays guitar, piano, harmonica and percussion and is ably supported by brother Chris on lap steel, pedal steel & dobro, Dean Schulz on double bass, David Nicholls on drums and Layla and Rhianna Fibbins on backing vocals. One of the many highlights of the album is the tender lyrics and gospel-tinged backing vocals on title track (We Gotta) Deep Deep Love. Brodie captures perfectly the disorientating sense of two people collapsing into one due to the enveloping intensity of their love: “When I look in the mirror/Sometimes I see you/It’s dangerous I know, it’s dangerous but true.” In stark contrast to such romantic sentiments, I Can’t See You Anymore laments the loss of love and the disintegration of a relationship: “I can’t feel you anymore my love/I’ve been looking for your heart/But it’s like your heart just stopped.” Fallen Down Again possesses a melancholic atmosphere generated in part by shimmering, spectral guitar that complements and accentuates the sense of impending doom hinted at in the dark lyrics: “Can you lend me a hand my friend?/I can see the storm clouds rolling in/We’ll have to tie down everything/So it don’t get blown away by the wind.” This slow-burn album, characterised by intimate vocals, absorbing lyrics and graceful instrumentation, will gradually hook you into its pensive charms.
BY GRAHAM BLACKLEY
Best Track: Fallen Down Again
If You Like These, You’ll like This: I’m Floatin’ Mamma EP DAN BRODIE & THE BROKEN ARROWS
In A Word: Thoughtful
