The Thousands

It’s a mellow trip this one. The duo of Ben McLaren (Hydromedusa, Spider Eggs) & Callan Visser (Mens Health, XL Vision, Bad Habits) concoct the aural equivalent of a reverse Hunter S Thompson-esque Benzedrine-fuelled holiday romp (minus the bats, the lizards and the paranoia). Their woozy schoolyard dub interweaves with some prog rock undertones producing four tracks of delectable, instrumental (un)easy listening.

Title track ‘Monsoon’ wanders about the tape with wobbly, meandering guitar wah-wow and flutter underpinned by some simple droning keyboard tones. The drum machine breathes like an old man, who has lead a fulfilling life yet is only minutes away from needing resuscitation. ‘The Dime’ has a cleansing effect with a cascading guitar run dazzling over soporific drum beats. The spirit of Sun Araw lurks, hula dancing in the shadows of the sunset cocktail hour vibe of ‘Poolside’. Closing number ‘Knowledge’, is a six minute shuffle through the undergrowth, with the mid song keyboard breakdown easing the rush of anxiety. McLarens exemplary guitar skills guide with an increasing sense of confusion and misdirection.

In their short time together, Major Crimes have developed a sound that captures Adelaide’s sweat drenched stoned summer haze to a tee. Get a copy of this tape before winter arrives.