The time difference between Australia and North America seems more extreme to Antipodean band Augie March. The delay between last album Strange Bird being released in those two continents was more than two years, and while that has been cut to closer to 18 months for its successor, it still feels like far too long. Moo, You Bloody Choir has already been a huge hit in their native Australia, and while they probably wont hit those heady heights here, this is still one of the years best albums. Sounding not unlike The Bends-era Radiohead mixed with Crowded Houses folkier moments, their song arrangements are, unfortunately, a little more conventional this time around. The band arent shy about giving their songs time to develop and, for the most part, it doesnt backfire despite the majority of the albums tracks flirting with, or surpassing, the five-minute mark. They like to build atmosphere within their songs, with much of that coming from singer Glenn Richards poetic lyrics. Moo, You Bloody Choir is a subtle record that doesnt try too hard to win over your heart. But it will succeed thanks to its many charms.
(Jive/Zomba)Augie March
Moo, You Bloody Choir
BY Michael EdwardsPublished Oct 29, 2007