CROW – ARCANE

Many years ago two iconic Australian rock legends interviewed each other in a now defunct music magazine. Nick Cave told Grant McLennan that he admired his ability to write such easy pop tunes, while Grant told Nick he envied his ability to come up with brilliant lyrics and just get the band to create this beautiful dramatic chaos behind it. There is no doubt that during the 90s Sydney band Crow were like the little brother following on the heels of both the Bad Seeds, and also in a strange and dark way, The Go-Betweens. Nowhere is that more evident that on the opening salvo – Ghost At The Crossroads – from their return album Arcane. Taking a pop sensibility, and clothing it beneath a darker, more ominous musical facade has always been what Peter Fenton, Peter Archer, John Fenton and Jim Wolf have done best and Arcane is full of beautiful chaos. Throw in with Fenton’s love of wordplay (a la N. Cave) in songs like Stray Leanne (think about it) and Archer’s more impassioned vocals and the mix is complete, and classic Crow. Describing their decade plus absence as, “Ten years in space” the band are, “Bringing this rock’n’roll act back,” and by god Major Tom, we are glad! A triumphant touch down.

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