The Thousands

Life’s vicissitudes, dream encounters, emotional confusion and feelings of melancholic joy are steadfast themes in pop music, but so rarely transposed with the uncanny, true-to-experience ring managed by much-loved local outfit, Mum Smokes. In the same way a good friend’s company and conversation can coax personal realisation after realisation and set your mind to thinking extra lucidly about time’s weird ways, so too can the unforced, dead-honest songs of this preternaturally gifted group. Never forcing a point or quick to trade meanings, Mum Smokes’ approach is to marvel, not to master – working first as melodic salve, second as entertainment.**EASY / HOUSE MUSIC is the sprawling, double-album follow-up to 2005′s hallowed RAILROADS, CHASMS and FANTASIES debut that fans dared wish for from this band. All four members share the writing distinctively, often track-by-track, meaning ensured variety and the futile-fun chance to play favourites – is it Jon the Gypsy Joker, Julian King of Time, Karl the Earth Sprite or Space Commander Justin? Up and downcast tunes run a gamut of styles, but always with rich, acoustic-leaning arrangements that bloom with repeated plays and lyrics that’ll keep you awake; mad for sadness. An important Australian band to look forward to remembering fondly.