The John Butler Trio - Grand National (Atlantic / Wea)
2/5
John Butler's painless melodious vocals enhance mediocre lyrics, and showered by Michael Barkers blissfully simplistic percussion, the sun is a prerequisite to The John Butler Trio's latest album 'Grand National'.
Shannon Birchall's bass is unobtrusive and tentatively plonks along, the Sundance Kid to Butler's fierce harmonic guitar. It is an album worthy of purchase, for as a three piece the sound they build is vast and full, yet unfortunately a tendency towards selfish musical hedonism can ruin it.
Despite international acclaim, I was disappointed by the faults in TJBT's latest album. Technically astute and extremely musically sophisticated, every track begins on form. Interesting background noise (be it thunder or simply well planned feedback - perhaps an influence of Caldato Jr - Beastie Boys, Beck, Jack Johnson, Super Furry Animals - who co produced 'Grand National') is followed by pleasurable, captivating riffs. An effortlessly catchy vocal, undemanding and permissive, caresses the ears and indolently forgets about over-pronunciation, creating a soft, alluring Brandon Boyd / Luke Pritchard-like camber.
However, the songs suffer from such a laid back approach, and tend to become either monotonous or stagnant. They seem to peak at the very start and then befall torpidity and tedium, apart from extremely self indulgent extensive middle eights, which are awfully lengthy and decadent. Music for the musician, by the musician.
Stream two tracks from 'Grand National' HERE.
Artists in this article: The John Butler Trio
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