Claude Hay
Roller Coaster
Independent
Claude Hay’s latest release
is a considered affair. It’s considered in that the Blue Mountains native has
put aside the rambunctious and raucous delivery of past releases and opted
instead for a more subtle approach, putting more focus on the arrangements and
layers these songs contain, as opposed to foot-percussion-fuelled guitar jams.
There was nothing wrong with
those, Hay was the master, but this is the man thinking outside the box.
Bringing in Ryan Van Gennip on bass (Chase The Sun) and Brian Cachia on
percussion, along with a smattering of cello and backing vocals, the songs
pulsate with a maturity, the mark of an artist who’s spent time thrashing, and
is now looking for something a bit more artistically substantial perhaps.
Still based very much in the
blues, Hay delves into mellow stoner rock territory (the title track, Love No
More); slow and melancholy (Never Say Goodbye), along with a healthy dose of
groove, all of which marry well. While his lyrics still leave a fair bit to be
desired, Claude Hay has upped the bar with Roller Coaster, further cementing
his reputation as one of Australia’s more powerful roots music performers.
Samuel J. Fell
SMH Version Here
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