Reviews
Artist:Kaurna Cronin Album: Harsh Beauty
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: https://www.kaurnacronin.com/
When I reviewed Cronin's single of 'Our Way' a couple of months ago I said: "On the strength of this a name to watch and investigate". And here's the chance.
He describes himself as a "unique Australian folk artist who has split his time between his native Australia, Europe and Canada," also that his music is "rooted in the acoustic origins of folk" The full band production of this album certainly has echoes of the folk of Laurel Canyon as electrified by the likes of Crosby Stills and Nash. Our Way remains a song that is a huge hit in another universe. Written as a dedication to two German fans who requested he put together a song for their space themed wedding it has a laid back groove that chugs along nicely. This is what BBC Radio 2 should be playing. The album continues in the same vein through 'Unknown' and 'Sideways', the latter livened up by a sandpaper Sax line straight out of 1984. 'Never Said' starts with a bluesy guitar line and settles into an almost reggae feel. A song about consequences that highlights his qualities as a lyric writer. "We never said, never said. It would go easy. But we never thought we'd fall this hard".
There is an Australian feel to much of the album, with hints of Crowded House, and the Finn brothers work, and I'm sure he grew up listening to The Little River Band. His voice has similarities to Al Stewart and his seventies work is a good reference point for the music overall. With eleven songs here, he has been able to maintain quality control and all through the album treats like the Beatles-y 'If The First Time Was The Last Time' pop up. 'As It Comes, As It Goes' refers to Botany Bay, and reinforces the Australian-ness of it all.
With ten singers and players besides himself on the album, this is a bigger cast list than many artists use these days. The three harmony singers make their presence felt effectively, but the star player is guitarist Tom Kneebone whose playing is exactly the right level of understated for the music. I'm sure there re people who will see this as a little bland in a time where overproduction is the norm, but having spent some time with this music it is everything an album used to be, good songs, good performances, and good production from Cronin himself.
Sadly his European tour doesn't include any UK dates, as the live feel of the album probably translates well to the stage. Indeed videos of his shows to some good sized crowds in Germany and Sweden say he is a live act worth seeing. In the meantime we can enjoy this fine album that heralds a more general return to good songwriting and performing values that seems to be one of the ley themes of 2022.
Tim Martin
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Never Said
Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Corsair is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
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