A Man Called Son - Ruins Of Our Town (2010)

Review By Nat Salvo

Australian artists have a long tradition of using a band like The Beatles as a cornerstone for fashioning a truly melodic pop song. 

But perhaps as a by-product of living in this great sun-bronzed country, girt by sea, they also manage to come up with music and lyrics that are so quintessentially Australian you can almost hear the war cries, “Oi! Oi! Oi!” underscoring the beat. 

While the obvious artists that spring to mind are The Triffids, The Go-Betweens and The Church, now we can add A Man Called Son to this impressive list.

Do not be fooled, the overblown name is actually the new solo project for singer-songwriter, Simon J Pearlman (The Narcotics). "Ruins Of Our Town" is the debut album and follows up two successful EPs by offering eleven mellow, pop folk and alt-country songs. 

From the opener and aptly titled, Broken Sunlight the listener is whisked away, floating on air to a soundtrack that is one part Thunderclap Newman’s Something In The Air and one part Beatlesque, shiny pop.

The song titled, Waiting For The Jets sounds like it could be a homage to Elton John but in reality plays closer to something by Powderfinger. The Distant Stores (Looked Ghostly At Night) meanwhile, could be a serving by Youth Group, while A Time Before sounds like a lost song from Radiohead’s "Kid A" record. 

The remaining tracks find an excellent balance between sweetly harmonious tones, dreamy music and moody lyrics such that they could be played along with music by Bluebottle Kiss or 78 Saab and not sound like a note is out of place.

"Ruins Of Our Town" is a serene indie pop record perfect for a balmy summer night. Gather round, enjoy these gorgeous pop gems, be proud to be Aussie and relish the sounds only heard on the streets of your town.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

Brought To You By The Dwarf