BRODERICK SMITH – UNKNOWN COUNTRY

This silvery old devil may be familiar to readers as the voice of The Dingoes – a once hip pub rock outfit from Melbourne who have recently been inducted into the Aria Hall of Fame. In his middle age, Broderick Smith has avoided the softer road of the adult contemporary singer, and forged his own weather-beaten path into darker folk rock waters. For this moody, dense record, he’s teamed up with Melbourne blues whiz-kid Matt Walker  to co-write, produce and orchestrate, an inspired cocktail of talent that recalls the artistic freshness of the Rick Rubin / Neil Diamond series. Walker’s spare, unusual melodies and fragmented guitar work are instantly recognizable, and a perfect match for Smith’s cognac-infused lyrical wisdom. The subtle instrumentation and odd, creaking sounds throughout give the listener the impression that they are taking a journey with Smith, indeed through an unknown country. His voice – amazingly resonant and smooth for an older rocker, commands these songs with authority and startling dynamics, from the haunted, harmonium-infused title track to the blistering spook-rocker The Ring. Most effective is the ponderous and darkly beautiful Mary The Larrikin. Thanks in equal part to Walker’s involvement and Smith’s own refusal to settle into cozy songwriting waters, disturbing and satisfying record and should sit high on Smith’s mantle as one of his finest achievements.