Lawrence Arabia - Chant Darling

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4...according to our Brian on Thu 07 Jan, 2010.

Lawrence Arabia. He's got a nerve hasn't he? On his debut this talented NZ native was caught blatantly ripping off someone's image from over a century back like some big fancy dressing novelty berk. I liked his music though, thought his harmony drenched West Coast pop & glam hybrid sounded pretty cool & fresh and I must admit, nothing much has changed massively except a sombre painting of a moody looking bearded dude with a huge overcoat has replaced the blue-eyed lady-boy from the cover of that first self released effort. There's touches of tropicalia underpinning 'Apple Pie Bed' for instance, the whole record is swimming in a lake of classic pop touches. If you're a fan of perky, joyous & slightly quirky pop songs mingled with sad, hazy, slightly lo-fi songs, all executed in a carefree & homely style, you could do a hell of a lot worse than invest in 'Chant Darling' on Bella Union. Aroma: old labrador, wet seaweed, orange squash.

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TRACKLISTING:
01.   Look Like A Fool
02. The Undesirables
03.   Apple Pie Bed
04.   Auckland CBD
05.   The Beautiful Young Crew
06.   Eye A
07.   The Crew Of The Commodore
08.   Fine Old Friends
09.   I've Smoked Too Much
10.   Dream Teacher

OVERVIEW:
LAWRENCE ARABIA is the pseudonym of James Milne, born 1981 in Christchurch, New Zealand. James has already established a rich musical resume as a former member of the Brunettes, The Ruby Suns and one time touring member of Okkervil River. He has also produced for films and theatre and wrote the score for the indie film hit, “Eagle vs Shark”. “Chant Darling” is his UK and Bella Union debut.
“Chant Darling” is in large part hewn from James’ gradual relocation to London. Recorded over 18 months in a studio in Stockholm, three flats in London, a garden shed in Port Chalmers, a car club in Wellington and a studio in Auckland, “Chant Darling” is a modern pop masterpiece… Like a mutant hybrid of Jonathan Richman, The Beatles and Beach Boys… Truly, resistance is futile…

These 10 songs provide a wonderful example of classic song-writing combining sugar hits of harmony, sweet melody and lush orchestration that will set you reeling as the witty and sometimes forlorn tales of indolence, longing and romantic misadventure hit home.

James has spent much of the past 12 months gallivanting around Europe on tour with Feist (his biggest fan) and other luminaries, whilst winning glowing write ups in NME, the Sunday Times, Dazed and Confused and other bastions of the British music press.
“Chant Darling” was produced by Lawrence Arabia and mixed and mastered by Olly Harmer.