7 Oct 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Shady Brain Farm - Album Review: ..Another Set Of Circumstances

26 Sep 2024 // A review by Kerry MB


Shady Brain Farm hail from North-West Auckland — specifically Kumeu, Waimauku, and Muriwai Beach — and has been making music together since 1997. The band, Ben Furniss lead vocals, guitar, and keyboards, Paul Taylor drums and backing vocals, and Chris Vaughan on bass and backing vocals are certainly no strangers to musical diversity and are back with a new album, ...Another Set of Circumstances

As their fourth full length album, it’s been a busy year with a tour and an EP release, and now, celebrating the new album’s launch.

The band says after wrapping up their 2024 March/April tour, they retreated to Lonely Hawk Studio, where they spent months fine-tuning and re-recording tracks to complete the album. It features four songs from their Astron EP, which came out in February 2024. One of the highlights is the track, Mary Spender which received a nod of approval from YouTuber Mary Spender herself, much to the band’s excitement.

With their diverse mix of surf rock, indie and pop rock tendencies, Shady Brain Farm has hit the nail on the head once again. Opening track, You... Tonight is an indie pop fever dream. Upbeat and catchy, it has plenty of melody.

Aforementioned Mary Spender is indeed a song to take pause on. The slow and delicate number is sweet and upbeat. Simple lyrically, the change in tempo has a Powderfinger kind of feel to it that rounds things off perfectly.

Further on, Crazy Situation has a great riff and melody, something that Brian Wilson would have loved to have come up with. Another catchy number that sounds timeless.

Last track, SloMoRoBo (a great play on words by the way) is another catchy riff. Imagine if Crowded House and Beach Boys jammed together and only added a handful of lyrics because they were too busy having fun.

A fun and delightful eleven tracks of great riffs, even better melody and some great lyricism once again from Shady Brain Farm. If you’re looking for a soundtrack for those upcoming warmer days, perhaps a beverage in hand, this is what you need. A no fuss but plenty of frills to feed you indie surf rock pop needs.

 

About Shady Brain Farm

Shady Brain Farm have played together as a group off and on for the last 19 years,
all members living in the Norwest Auckland area of Kumeu, Waimauku and Muriwai beach
the music they make reflecting this West Coast beach vibe.

Ben Furniss - Main Vocals, Guitar & Keyboards has been in many Auckland bands over the years including The Broken Heartbreakers, Superturtle, White Swan Black Swan and Surrealistic, has a nice home studio in a barn on his farm in Kumeu where they do their recordings, (recent Galveston Demo Recordings were done there), and record local up and coming bands (this area seems to be saturated with talent coming out of Kaipara College).

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Shady Brain Farm

Releases

Astron
Year: 2024
Type: EP
...Another Set of Circumstances
Year: 2024
Type: Album
Plastic Planet
Year: 2021
Type: Album
Orange To Red
Year: 2020
Type: EP
19 Years In The Same House
Year: 2018
Type: Album
Robot Radio
Year: 2015
Type: EP
Shady Brain Farm
Year: 2000
Type: EP

Other Reviews By Kerry MB

Zed - Album Review: Future Memory
04 Sep 2024 // by Kerry MB
You know the name, and you know the sound of Zed, but did you know that here in 2024, the Christchurch icons are back with a new album? Because even though it has been 21 years, they never really stopped making music.
Read More...
Hadees Drudge - Album Review: The Mind Lies When The Soul Dies
01 Aug 2024 // by Kerry MB
Hadees Drudge is quite an anomaly in Wellington’s metal scene. Forgoing a second guitarist, they proudly rock one guitar in a genre where that’s almost unheard of.
Read More...
Thousand Limbs - Album Review: The Aurochs
16 Jul 2024 // by Kerry MB
Thousand Limbs has been on the scene now for a few years (since 2016) and have gained quite the following since, for their powerhouse of instrumental metal. Now, if you are also a fan of Kerretta and Nine Inch Nails then Thousand Limbs will be right up your alley.
Read More...
Crowded House - Album Review: Gravity Stairs
10 Jun 2024 // by Kerry MB
In a moment we’ve all been waiting for, Crowded House, who need no introduction have released their new album, Gravity Stairs. It’s only been a little over two years since their last offering, Dreamers Are Waiting (2021) and it seems fans just can’t get enough.
Read More...
Government Pest - EP Review: Vol. 3
05 Jun 2024 // by Kerry MB
Formed from the ashes of local bands, Hellborne and Wall of Silents to name a few, Government Pest have been on the scene since 2014 and have never failed to amaze fans with their solid metal offerings and swag of albums over the years. 2024 is no different and they’re back again with a new EP, Vol.
Read More...
PARK RD - Album Review The Novel
23 May 2024 // by Kerry MB
It’s easy to see why Auckland five-piece, PARK RD is making some noise, figuratively and literally with their debut album, The Novel. Heavy on the indie, but far from light with solid guitar riffs and pop and funk sensibilities, PARK RD are a great example of solid musicianship.
Read More...
Bad Schematics - Album Review: C O L L I D E
01 May 2024 // by Kerry MB
Manawatu might seem one of the unlikeliest places to find some damn good alt-rock pop punk, even more so when you add elements of metal, but stranger things have happened and I’m here to tell you it’s true, and their name is Bad Schematics. Not a name that may be familiar (yet), but they are a pretty determined bunch, having released their debut EP, Keep Your Gods in a flurry of a few short weeks, in 2023.
Read More...
Matt Hay - Album Review: Dog and Pony Show
02 Apr 2024 // by Kerry MB
Matt Hay may not be a name you’re familiar with yet. Well, better late than never.
Read More...
View All Articles By Kerry MB

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TIMELESS
    The Weeknd And Playboi Carti
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TOO SWEET
    Hozier
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem