Latest
LP from Berlin-based Barbeau! “Pre-apocalyptic psychedelic pop”!
We've covered the very
wonderful Anton Barbeau a couple of times here at HDHQ - last year's
'Heaven Is In Your Mind' 7” and the excellent Three Minute Tease
LP made with members of the Soft Boys and XTC. Mr. Barbeau is such a
productive and creative free-spirit, it's always reassuring to know
that new music is never too far away, and never disappoints. His
latest album Natural Causes came out a week ago and is as good
an entry point into Anton's oeuvre as you'll find, containing new
material mixed in with old favourites re-worked. Eclectic,
intelligent and with occasional sphinx-like mystery and depth, it
holds together as both a new album and a cohesive “best of”, full
of shimmering jangle, idiosyncratic melodies, sometimes elusive time
signatures and lyrics to maintain your interest and ruminations long
after the album's final track fade out.
The record came into
being after attempts at a more political album Applewax were
ditched. Says Anton - “... Applewax was full of gun-loving
rednecks and I just decided there was no good putting more of that
back into the world.” A fair point, and perhaps the material
recorded will one day find a suitable release. We can all agree
there's perhaps too much heaviness and doom around presently.
Optimism, positivity and good vibes are in shorter supply so floppy
hats off to Anton for making that decision. Mellotrons, MiniMoogs,
12-string acoustic guitars all contribute to the general breezy,
uplifting feel, but the lyrics ensure the record is fun but far from
lightweight.
An old favourite
'Magazine Street' gets a re-working and opens the album. Among the
new material is 'Mumble Something' and 'Magic Sandwiches' (how can
you resist a title like that! 'Secretion Of The Wafer' featured on
Anton's recent Fruits de Mer 7” but is here in its earlier original
recording. My favourite tracks on the album are 'It's The Coffee That
Makes The Man Go Mad' with its beguiling time signature and earworm
chorus and 'Disambiguation' a thought-provoking study in modern
psychedelic pop.
Classic Barbeau and a
solo record in name but Natural Causes was made with a little
help from his friends. Guest musicians include Andy Metcalfe( Soft
Boys), Nick Saloman and Ade Shaw (Bevis Frond), Robbie McIntosh
(guitarist for The Pretenders, Paul, McCartney), Michael Urbano (Todd
Rundgren, Neil Finn) and Karla Kane who duets with Anton on 'Neck
Pillow.' If you're unfamiliar with the music of Anton Barbeau Natural
Causes is a great place to start.
