written by Chris Familton

Simon Carter’s debut solo album The Black Book Of The Universe has been out for a couple of months now so fans have had some time to get their heads around his new sound. As a result the small but appreciative crowd at The Annandale rose and fell with Carter’s bold and beautiful new direction into americana-tinged indie with more than a few prog-pop overtones.

The all girl quintet Creepers who opened the evening have a sassy front-woman with PJ Harvey tendencies in Laura Noir and an interesting mix of percussion built into their primitive garage rock sound. They were followed by Bell Weather Department who were out of place with their heavy riff-rock that on the night sounded like a cross between Helmet and A Perfect Circle. Unfortunately many of the more appealing intricacies of their recordings were lost in the volume.

Melbournians Money For Rope preceded Carter and took the punters by the scruff of their necks and dragged them into their garage rock swamp. With a killer organ sound and a proclivity for losing their shirts and control over their limbs they impressed with their assured attack. Melbourne has a proud history of throwing up this kind of band and Money For Rope look set to carry on the tradition with swagger and intent.

Simon Carter and band seem to be growing in confidence with each live outing and tonight showed they have reached cruise control, not in a bad way, more that their tight playing and the shades and angles that they build into the songs sound more natural and less deliberated.

Carter brought the album to life throwing himself into unabashed guitar solos and showing just how good a vocalist he has become. He doesn’t settle for an indie yelp ,instead he possesses and strong and rich vocal sound that can convey passion, conviction and at times flashes of anger.

The highlights of the set came with the epic and gear changing Hold Your Horses, In The Wilderness I Wept and Grey Gardens alongside the pop-flavoured Symbio and Honesty that rode sharp and bright melodic lines. Ending on the title track from the album they showed a desire to stretch their sound with the whole band convening for some communal drumming that would be a sure highlight of summer festival stages.

Check out all the photos from the show HERE

this review first appeared in Drum Media