Pearl , the band’s fifth full-length studio album, features the talents of Anna (vocals), Craig Pilkington (guitars, trumpet, and vocals), David Nelson (bass), David Folley (drums, percussion), Barb Waters (guitars, backing vocals) and Deanna Rumsaviche (keyboards, backing vocals). That legendary Ice Cream Hand Charles Jenkins makes a guest appearance on the excellent My Old Guitar, which is the first single to be released from the album. Songs such as the swaying, swelling hook-laden Shifting Sands, Hey Look At Me Now and Ghost are so catchy that it would involve superhuman resolve to resist singing or humming along. The gentle chugging country-psych of The Coloured Bird and the cinematic scope and aching, fragile beauty of the title track will haunt and bewitch long after the songs draw to a close.
Craig Pilkington’s deft production ensures that Pearl maintains a crisp, spacious and punchy sound throughout each of the 11 tracks and the band play with great energy and vibrancy. With the release of Pearl, The Killjoys have ably demonstrated that they still possess the songwriting skills and assured grasp of melody that won them an ARIA award two decades ago.
Best Track: Ghost
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Broken LUCID; Drama on the High Seas of Emotion GEORGIA FIELDS & THE FREEWAYS.
In A Word: Effervescent
