Things that remind me of other things #3: 'Dead Fox' by Courtney Barnett and 'Rock'n'Roll' by The Velvet Underground

Another in this occasional series of tracks that sound like each other. Here's the video for 'Dead Fox' by Courtney Barnett.



Get past the introduction and after about 12 seconds the main part of the song starts. Listen to that, not only the chord structure but the vocal line and delivery, and then give The Velvet Underground a spin.



Pretty similar huh? Both great songs, about 45 years apart.

Recommended music: 'Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit' by Courtney Barnett

The first album proper from Melbourne-born Barnett, after her EP collection 'A Sea of Split Peas' is a bright shining beacon of sass in the world of mediocre mainstream music. With more attitude than a bag full of rattlesnakes and more hooks than an abattoir, her music is the type that smacks you firmly in the face but then kisses you better afterwards. From the brilliantly punky first single 'Pedestrian At Best', with its insanely catchy chorus, through to the downbeat but not morose closer 'Boxing Day Blues' this is an album that never fails to entertain. Lyrically Barnett covers subjects ranging from the trials of buying your first property in the crap part of town; "We drive to a house in Preston / see police arresting a man with his hand in a bag / How's that for first impressions!" (Depreston) to being stuck in the wrong job; "I'm not suicidal just idling insignificantly / All I ever wanted to be was an Elevator Operator / Can you help me please?"

Musically the production is bright and crisp and gives the feel of a record that's been 'played live' while it was recorded. That feel even extends to the track sequencing - it feels like almost the perfect order for a live show - a powerful finish, then a chance to calm down a bit before building the energy back up. It's clear that Courtney is a natural talent who is just beginning to blossom, and she's got enough musical strings to her bow to match the wit and insouciance of her lyrics. The two long songs ('Small Poppies' and 'Kim's Caravan', both around the 7-minute mark) never seem to drag, but she can still nail a perfect two minute pop song on 'Aqua Profunda!'. There are tracks on here that sound like The Velvet Underground and tracks that sound like The Kinks, but it's still a totally modern and relevant album.

Perfect post-punk pop from someone who may just be the saviour of indie guitar music.

PS It's worth mentioning that on the orange vinyl version of this that I've got there's a secret bonus track at the end which may well be the title track (as she sings the title in it).

New music: 'Gammy Leg' by Scott and Charlene's Wedding

 Another track from their 'Two Weeks' EP (you can listen to the title track and read more about the band here) this is a brilliantly-titled piece of indie-slacker-guitar-pop from the unbelievably-named Scott and Charlene's Wedding. In my (not very humble) opinion this is even better than the other side, and would be perfect to listen to if you were any where in the sunshine right now.

The single is out on a blood red 10" (appropriate if you listen to the lyrics) on Critical Heights Records.

New music: 'Two Weeks' by Scott & Charlene's Wedding

The latest release on Critical Heights comes from the brilliantly/stupidly (delete as appropriate) named Scott & Charlene's Wedding. The record is the work of Craig Dermody - born in Melbourne but now residing in New York, he manages to fuse the feel of Australian indie bands like The Go-Betweens with the slacker vibe of Wavves and Cloud Nothings to produce a melodic and lyrically charming record. "I'm old-fashioned just like my dad, I get awkward on video chat" is my favourite couplet on here and gives you a feel for what he's aiming at.

The 'Two Weeks' EP is released on March 11th on 10" & download.

Craig Dermody, Scott & Charlene's Wedding

New music: 'Strange Beast' by Lower Plenty

Having been released in their native Australian last year, Lower Plenty's debut album 'Hard Rubbish' will be getting a more widespread release this April. From it come this track, which you can download for free above. It's a slightly menacing acoustic number, with some atmospheric background noises - you can get a feel for the track just by the first line - "Loneliness is the greatest killer of them all".