“I thought by the age of 25/I’d have this figured out alright,” James Moloney sings, surmising the fears of any twenty-something. “Maybe I’m bound to be another rat living in the city/Whose only real dream is to find something to eat.”
James Moloney and the Mad Dog Harrisons’ latest offering, Raleigh St manages to pin down the sound of the Northern Suburbs in which you’d find the titular street, and conjure up the nostalgia that comes with it, all in spectacular fashion.
Boasting Moloney’s strong, captivating vocals, and roaring, throwback style guitar solo, the impressive and affecting EP demonstrates everything that’s right with Moloney and his Mad Dogs. The selection of five tracks flows along with the current of their relaxed, get-me-a-beer-and-also-a-bottle-of-wine, with a hint of Paul Kelly, breed of Aussie rock.
Kicking off with a love song to his car, Torana, the unmistakably and unashamedly Aussie outfit make their presence and sound known with fast paced guitar riffs and the sound of the Northern Suburbs, with Telly keeping up the pace and tone.
Highlight Only So Many follows on, demonstrating the strength of Moloney’s songwriting and lyricism. The standout track tackles the harsh reality of growing older and grappling with identity in an irreverent and melancholic fashion.
“There’s only so many people who give a shit what you’ve done,” Moloney admits to the audience and himself, but there’s absolutely more than a few reasons to give a shit about this EP.
By Claire Varley
