The Lucksmiths hailed from Melbourne, Australia and released their first record on the Candle label back in 1993, although it could easily have been released ten years earlier as their sound is not dissimilar to fellow Aussies, The Go Betweens. I only recently came across The Lucksmiths but when I saw that their influences included The Smiths, Orange Juice and The Trashcan Sinatras I had a feeling that they might be right up my street, and they are. There are also shades of C86 and some of the music on Sarah Records on many of their songs. Over the course of their sixteen years together they released nine studio albums of melodic, intelligent pop music that reminds you of why you fell in love with music in the first place. I haven't heard all nine studio albums but can vouch for the greatness of their seventh album, Warmer Corners. Twelve tracks of great songwriting, impeccable melodies and jangly guitars. What more do you need ?
Sunlight In A Jar
As a bonus track today here is a song from their 2003 album Naturaliste that gives you some idea of what big fans they were of a certain Manchester four piece. The song's title may give it away. Includes the wonderful couplet...
"I've woken up on one too many floors
But my favourite was yours"
There Is A Boy That Never Goes Out
A new name on me Scott - good stuff
ReplyDeleteScott, Love the Lucksmiths, and they have a secure spot on my best of the '90s list... Although I do prefer their work from the '00s, such as the aforementioned Warmer Corners, even more. That album was reissued for the first time ever on vinyl a little
ReplyDeletemore than a year ago and I snatched that one right up. Great pick today!
CC - they were new to me until fairly recently but well worth checking out some of their stuff
ReplyDeleteBrian - had a sneaking suspicion that you may be a fan of The Lucksmiths. I think I have a bit of catching up to do, but they are very much my type of band.
Scott, Seems like you're off to a great start. As you might expect, most of the really good '90s material comes in the form of singles. In my opinion, you have mentioned two of their three best albums. I would also recommend First Frost.
ReplyDeleteA new name to me too. Hard to believe they only started in the 1990s as they have a very 1980s sound. I enjoyed these tunes a lot.
ReplyDeleteTurn the Radiator On It's freezing, I'm coming over later this evening. now THAT is a great oipning line. Top tunes Scott
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff Sir. As most of the other ones it was new to me. So thank you for introducing me to this wonderful stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks you all for your kind comments. One of the many great things about other people's blogs is hearing stuff that I have never heard before and that happens a lot on the blogs that you guys do, so good to have introduced some of you to this great band. It is a great opening line George, you can tell he is a huge fan of Morrissey with that line.
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