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Goldenhorse: Riverhead

This is a classic 'whole is greater than the sum of the parts' album in which the excellence of individual musicianship and the arrangements transforms Kirsten Morelle's potentially sketchy vocal presence into one of beguiling appeal. Geoff Maddock, Ben King, Joel Wilton and Andrew Clark all have considerable musical pedigree and the five have pretty much lived together to create the 11 sweeping tracks here. That familiarity and confidence is revealed in the attention to detail, the ease with which musical complexity becomes effortles, both in the playing and the listening, and the clever cloaking of a rock album in melodic elegance. With the benefit of having seen Goldenhorse live, I know these songs can rock out, but this album is more suited to pre-dinner drinks where the orchestral elements and oddball musicality of tracks like Out Tonight will surely stimulate conversation and maybe even the odd dance. Without doubt one of the best albums released locally in 2002. The band's repeat nomination for APRA Silver Scroll Awards reinforces the strength of their songwriting - and then there's all that gorgeous music - and that voice.

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