Customer Reviews

Between Last Night And Us (IMPORT)

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Six months later I'm still having trouble coming to terms with just how very good Between Last Night & Us is. The Audreys - an Adelaide-based four-piece, (sometimes five) - have released a brilliant album, bound to feature prominently in 2006's Best Of lists. The lead-off track, `You & Steve McQueen', received regular airplay on Australian radio after appearing on a 2005 EP of the same name, and here it makes the perfect opening number, easily sounding like it's drifting in from somewhere on the edge of an Arizona desert, or Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In fact, if you were hearing this album with no foreknowledge, you'd be hard-pressed to believe that it was produced early last winter by the brilliant Shane O'Mara at his Yikesville Studio in Melbourne.

For comparison, the sounds of Canada's Be Good Tanyas might be a nice reference point, but the lovely Taasha Coates, plus Tristan Goodall, brother Cam Goodall, (recently departed to pursue a burgeoning solo career), and Mikey G, all add a much heftier dose of pop to their mix of alt.country and bluegrass. (Producer O'Mara also contributes guitar, lap-steel, dobro, bass and samples across the album) Stunning - repeat, STUNNING - standouts include the orgasmically-shuddery `Banjo & Violin', the previously mentioned 'Steve McQueen', `Nothing Wrong With Me' and `Come On In', which starts out pretty and delicate, before developing some serious muscle towards the end. They even manage to get away with a cover of the INXS tune, 'Don't Change', (on original pressings only).

The Audreys have been touring non-stop for almost a year now, and their live shows are simply devastating - make sure you catch them somewhere soon.

Big in Australia, you're not going to hear this type of music on the radio - it isn't aimed at "tweens" or urban hip. A banjo here or there - yes... but it's not country and it's not bluegrass. Think the best of folk rock of the 70s updated to the new century tastes. If you like the styling of Iron and Wine or Ray LaMontagne, then you're going to love this CD.

This ain't your daddy's country music band. There's a bluesy soul to The Audrey's banjo laced songs. It's difficult to categorize, which may be why it is so engaging. The Audrey's are not formulaic or gimiky. Their fusion of country/blues/folk is unique, sincere, and refreshing. True music lovers, take heart. There's still great music being made- even it is in the form of a country band from Australia.

I first heard the Audreys at the Queenscliff Music Festival last year. I was really impressed - one of the best live acts I have seen for some time.
I have seen their music classified as 'country' which is a bit misleading, I would rather class them as 'adult pop' (though I would not want to slot them into any arbitrary genre).
I think the country tag arises because of the generous doses of banjo throughout the album but lyrically it only has a 'country' feel on a couple of tracks.
I don't think there is a dud track on the whole album, but there are a couple which I think could become classics - 'Pale Dress' and 'Where Are You Now?'
In short the playing is first class and Taasha Coates's voice is superb (I'm in luurv!)

When I saw the TV series, Rain Shadow, I had to have the music. I wasn't disappointed in the music by The Audreys. I am seriously considering purchasing their second CD if the music is as good as Between Last night and us. The music keeps coming back into my head.

I'm afraid I'm a walking cliche - I may not know music, but I know what stirs my soul. Last week it was Sarah Boyles and Peter Potts and this week it was the soundtrack from an excellent Aussie series entitled Rain Shadows. Will be suggesting some of the tunes for lyrical dance performance pieces to be done next year and my partner will be including Long Ride on his playlist for massage therapy clients. Good news, and the Audrey's are very good news, spreads in the oddest ways.