2 a.m. Orchestra are not what you would expect to come out of New Zealand, a country that has a reputation, somewhat unfairly for Gentle Pop. Nor are they an orchestra. They are largely a solo project from Auckland's David Kelley and this is only the fourth album in almost two decades.
They've toured as a band and with Kelley solo, but now this is essentially a studio project with String additions from Nick Jones. There have been comparisons with ELO, which I don't see at all. This isn't even Jeff Lynne when it's raining.
The songs are dark without ever being miserable. Choruses are incredibly catchy and at times there's a real twang. The album is also beautifully produced. At times, I'm reminded a little of a non shouty Thom Yorke, at other times, a band like Keane, although the arrangements are much more in depth than the latter.
Earlier albums concentrate more on the Pop, that isn't lost on Trading Graves, it just feels like a more mature, perhaps more varied album. A song like End Of Summer could be Rufus Wainwright and at times Chris Isaak.
Home is wonderful McCartney Piano Pop, whilst Wake The World enters the territory of Doves. Sweet Pea has a Roy Orbison twang .The stand out, Seeds And Skulls, is when Kelley stretches out, bordering on Rock with a chorus that reminds me of The Killer's debut.
Arrangements are tight and varied. The violin and viola are used sparingly, only when they add to a song. This is a splendid Pop Rock album, moody yet magnificent. I hope that we don't have to wait another 7 years for the next one.
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You can listen to and buy the album here.
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