Review: Hamish Anderson 'ELECTRIC'

Review: Hamish Anderson ‘ELECTRIC’

By Hal Horowitz

Don’t be misled by the all-caps album title.

Even though there is plenty of plugged-in, hot-wired, six-string slinging on this third album from Australian singer/songwriter Hamish Anderson, his first in five years, there are just as many subtly melodic moments. It’s those that display his talents as a composer and moving singer, one who also happens to play striking guitar.

There are also some changes on ELECTRIC, released Oct. 11, this third go-round. Anderson has taken control of the production duties (his previous albums were helmed by veteran Jim Scott) along with David Davis. There was also substantial pre-production work, partially due to the pandemic, allowing Anderson to tinker with various tones, providing more sonic colors on these 11 originals and one cover. While his other discs were recorded with a variety of studio session musicians, he stuck with his touring band, tracking tunes mostly live in the studio. The result is a relaxed, organic set where Anderson seems more comfortable in his skin.

And while the voltage noted in the album’s name is present here, the songwriting balances between rockers and soul searching ballads. That diversity displays Anderson’s dusky yet malleable voice, which often leans into a style similar to that of John Mayer. He also carefully arranged these songs, pairing more vibrant moments with less raucous ones. The result is a terrific listen exhibiting his multiple capacities, and how far he has advanced since his preceding offerings.

For every pounding, thumping, riff-heavy blues rocker such as “Stir Crazy,” which references how he felt during the COVID era with “Locked down/Nobody make a sound, there’s nobody on the streets/Strange times/Messing with your mind…,” there’s a touching narrative such as the lovely, soulful “Brighter Days.” There he gets introspective, singing “I’ve got dreams to remember/And some that I just let slip away/I do my best to be a good man/Face my demons everyday” as the charming melody floats like a memorable Eagles song. A closing short guitar solo adds sting and substance.

The searing slide, that along with pumping drums, pushes “Pain” into the VU meter’s red zone, allows Anderson to unleash his inner shredder. That’s also the case on the following tough, heartbeat driven cover of “It Ain’t Easy” (best known from Bowie’s version but written by American songwriter Ron Davies). The two songs segue into each other, highlighting Anderson’s robust guitar work.

But they are followed by the relaxed yet tensile tone of “Everybody” and the impressive “Strangers.” The former informed by a bluesy lead that flutters through its exquisite melody. The latter is a laid back, soul ballad with blues tinges and among this collection’s most touching moments. On it, his voice reflects John Lennon’s at its most natural and affecting, singing with resignation to an ex-lover “I went and gave you the world, you just threw it all away/These days it’s so hard to believe a single word you say.” A closing strangulated guitar solo mirrors the song’s unsettling sentiments, putting an exclamation point on how Anderson constructs this track with attention to detail.

The closing romantic ballad “Sweet Dreams” begins with an acoustic refrain, letting us down easy on a wonderfully diverse set one whose ELECTRIC title refers as much to Hamish Anderson’s stellar songwriting as to the current running though his guitar.

“Brighter Days”