To be honest, we had written Sheppard off as a one hit wonder before we saw them support Keith Urban in concert last month. We are happy to admit that we were very wrong.
Their debut album ‘Bombs Away’ is unique, interesting and accessible to both a ‘cooler’ indie crowd and mainstream pop fans. As ‘Geronimo’ proved, the Brisbane band can deliver killer harmonies and melodies at the drop of a hat.
Their two lead singers, siblings Amy and George, are super talented vocalists, which is particularly evident on new single ‘Something’s Missing’. Unlike ‘Geronimo’, it’s a bit Lady Antebellum’s ‘Need You Now’ with a strong Angus and Julie Stone influence.
Elsewhere on ‘Bombs Away’ the mood varies from laid back to pissed off to turned on to hopeless virtually every three and a half minutes. For example, ‘Let Me Down Easy’ is tailor made for laid-back campfire sing-alongs whereas ‘A Grade Playa’ is a Sia-esque pop stormer dealing with heartbreak.
Some tracks, like ‘These People’, combine sad lyrics with killer harmonies and a sunny disposition (note its ‘dah dah dah’ hook). It may be a song about being pushed around, yet you still end up smiling afterwards.
Speaking of which, ‘Smile’ is a kooky upbeat pop moment that is part Katy Perry, part Kate Miller-Heidke. A few songs later, it’s back to dark clouds on the angsty ‘Find Someone’.
The mood and tempo constantly change throughout ‘Bombs Away’s 11 tracks, yet it’s always a joy. Even when things are musically simple, such as on the vocal, guitar and timberline trio ‘Lingering’, it all works. Quite frankly, there’s something on ‘Bombs Away’ to suit most music lovers.
We’re not sure if it’s eligible yet, but we wouldn’t be surprised if this wins ‘Album of the Year’ at the next ARIAs!
Download : Geronimo, Smile, Find Someone.
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