Sydney singer/songwriter Lia Tsamoglou, known in this land by her nom d’étage Melodie Nelson, has raised the ante. Following the release last year of her solo (and much loved) debut record Meditations On The Sun, she has this year released her follow-up, the gorgeously trippy and sun-drenched sparkle of To The Dollhouse.
Opening track Cherry Cherry kicks the party off with a brooding Hammond organ, fetching horns and harmonised vocals in a deeply psychedelic fashion. It sets the mood for what’s to follow; there’s a languid peacefulness to its sound, but if one scratches the placid surface there is a quiet menace under every note.
The title song features her soaring and haunting vocals over acoustic guitars, singing about the quiet dissolution and desperate nature of loneliness, as stringed instruments sadly flit about over the song. There’s a nifty duet titled Six Six Six, performed with Melbourne’s own master of forlorn naïve-pop, Geoffrey O’Connor that’s absolutely fabulous – their back and forth about abandonment and control is riveting, and works especially as their vocals are very complementary. It’s a dream match-up.
The tone of the album is lifted upwards by the jangling guitar-heavy pop of Take Me For A Ride, a rollicking number that propels the listener into a universe where the sepia tones of the photos are still sunburnt and hazy, the suburbs are places where “key parties” are being held, and the ragtops of cars are down and the grass is good.
The first single off the record, the mysterious and cinematic Martha, captures perfectly the old soundtracks performed by the masters Dario Argento and Angelo Badalamenti, whereas closing track Hello is a brooding, moody masterwork of dark synths, ghostly vocals, echoing effects and harrowing drums. It perfectly encapsulates this mysterious and romantic universe Tsamoglou has created for her musical soundscapes – and it’s a place that’s quite fascinating to visit. Full of go-go dancing, fluorescent colours, Wall Of Sound-inspired production values and a never-ending sense of adventure, To The Dollhouse is an inspired and fun listen. Enjoy your martini!
BY THOMAS BAILEY
Best Track: Hello
If You Like These, You’ll Like: David Lynch soundtracks, ENNIO MORRICONE, ANGELO BADALAMENTI, NANCY SINATRA & LEE HAZELWOOD
In A Word: Sun-drenched
