Goldenhorse

Item: Riverhead
Author: Brendan Boughen

Riverhead

(2002)

Reviewed by Brendan Boughen

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Label Siren RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2003

folk rock indie pop pop rock

Bucking the trend of noisy rock bands to successfully emerge from New Zealand in recent years and sign up to the big time (Pacifier, The Datsuns, The D4, Blindspott, Panam, Augustino, The Have etc), rides Goldenhorse.

With a complex blending of pop-folk guitars, gentle string arrangements, South-Pacific sun tinged percussion and the sweeter than honey voice of Kirsten Morelle, Goldenhorse refuse to be saddled by expectations of current radio competition and come out the gate with a debut worthy of the gold sales it has already achieved down under.

So before I drop another equine pun, let me say that if you've been pining for that perfect summer album that Crowded House used to provide, Riverhead will be the musical umbrella in your pina colada on the beach this summer.

Musically, you could be forgiven for occasionally thinking you had purchased a side project of Leigh Nash from Sixpence None the Richer, as the vocal resemblance is almost identical on tracks like "Golden Dawn" and "Maybe Tomorrow". (Also, coincidentally, both bands have a track in their repertoire called "Northern Lights".)

However, where Goldenhorse distinguish themselves is in varying the instrumentation to such a degree that each song preserves its own unique flavor. From the straight acoustic breeziness of "Maybe Tomorrow" to the reggae slinkiness of "Baby's Been Bad" and the funky "American Wife" this album has a surprise around every corner and a dazzling freshness that will make repeat listening a joy.

While love songs are the main fare, it's the band's capacity to convincingly enter darker territory with songs like "Riverhead", "Shrinking Her Legs" and "Dark Forest" that makes this album more than a mere throwaway pop fling. The title track in particular utilizes guitarist Ben King's voice to set the stage for a pulsing ode to death and redemption. Plus, I could swear Kirsten is singing "I am born again" at the end of the chorus of this song, but that might just be my ears listening out for an overly obvious God-reference on what is certainly a richly spiritual album.

Some of the aforementioned Kiwi bands might think that attitude is key when it comes to writing a great song, but Goldenhorse prove that aptitude in songwriting is really 99 per cent of the task. Why scream and swear at your listener to demand attention when you can softly pitch a perfect melody and entrance them instead? Of course there's a place for each, but when the noise fades, it's albums like Riverhead that will be timeless.

This album will fill more than just stockings this Christmas; it will fill the New Zealand summer with light, love and laughter. If you're reading this from the northern hemisphere, this album might be just the one to warm up your winter.

4 tocks