And here’s the 7th full-length album from Melbourne-based 5-piece The Murlocs. The starting point of what has become Calm Ya Farm*, was “to create a quintessential country-rock record with sublimely mellowed-out songs.” But Ambrose Kenny-Smith, Callum Shortal, Matt Blach, Tim Karmouche and Cook Craig wouldn’t be themselves if they didn’t lay down their signature garage-psych sound as a foundation. With a touch of rhythm & blues added, it turns out to be a combination that works very well. What is even more striking is the awesome production: all instruments in the 12 compelling new songs come to the fore doing their own thing, yet everything gets the attention it deserves and forms an organic and balanced whole. This still is unmistakably a Murlocs record – recognizable out of thousands by the distinctive vocals and infectious harmonica – but just another impressive step forward.
Calm Ya Farm, mastered by Joseph Carra and mixed by John Lee, is out now digitally and on vinyl LP through ATO Records. *The title is “something my partner always says to me when I’m feeling stressed-out or anxious. It made sense with the whole country theme of the record, but it’s generally a good reminder for day-to-day life,” so explains Ambrose Kenny-Smith (vocals, guitar, harmonica).