Anthony Rochester - Music For In The Spaceship

Upon first listening to Anthony Rochester's Music For In The Spaceship album, it's very easy to understand how one might think that he comes from Sweden, where he would share the lyrical whimsy of Jens Lekman. Perhaps you could be forgiven for thinking that he hails from Norway, where he would be influenced by the vocal subtlety of Erlend Øye. And the true music aficionado would be justified in assuming that he must comes from Glasgow, since his gift of melody was obviously taught at the school of Belle and Sebastian. However, the truth of the matter is that Hobart, Australia is where Rochester lays his hat, and although all of the aforementioned references are a good starting point and all, Music For In The Spaceship is an excellent album that truly stands on its own in terms of originality and heartfelt ebullience.

Anthony self records and plays most of the instruments himself, and his vocals showcase a vulnerability that adds to his immediate charm. With song titles like Did You Lose Weight?, If Only She'd Mind Read He Won't Have To Tell Her By Himself, and Interplanetary Relationships Can Be Problematic At The Best Of Times, it becomes apparent that Rochester is very witty and refuses to take himself too seriously. The songs are all very soothing, easy to absorb and instantly likable. She Visits Her Friends On The Moon has a 60's Casio French Pop feel to it (although it's sung in English) and Gigi is laugh out loud funny with it's cheesy lounge style keyboard work, and funky blaxploitation bass line. The album closes with It's A Secret But I Want To Sing About The Girl That I Love which is a beautiful song that seems to fit nicely into the Beautiful South songbook, only without all of the veiled sinisterism. In fact, there isn't anything veiled when it comes to the music of Anthony Rochester. What you see (or hear) is what you get and Music For in The Spaceship is pure pop music for pure pop people.

'Music For In The Spaceship' is available for download on iTunes or you can send $13 paypal to seriestworecords@gmail.com for a limited edition CD-R. Only 300 have been pressed.

Myspace: Anthony Rochester
Video: I Love You Baby on youtube
Download: Mathematics mp3


Download: Lipscombe Larder mp3


Other stuff: More local concert goodness this month that you may or may not be aware of.

Leh-Lo, the man behind Sunday open mic nights at The Supermarket, is doing a special show at Revival bar on Monday December 15th. His last album Zig Zag is pretty good but it seriously does not do justice to what the man is capable of. Also on the bill is The Action Mob and they're both opening for Japanese hard rock legends The Flower Travellin' Band. Erm, Strangest. Bill. Ever.The tickets are $17 and apparently the show is being filmed so be on your best behaviour kids! [Myspaces: Leh-Lo, Action Mob, Flower Travellin Band]

Also, The Golden Hands Before God Conducts Incredible Magic Band and the Spirits make another triumphant return to Toronto when they play Rancho Relaxo on Saturday December 20th with The Speaking Tongues and Terror Lake. Seriously, if you haven't seen The Golden Hands... yet, what is your problem? Yes, they are THAT good!! $7. [Myspaces: The Golden Hands..., The Speaking Tongues, Terror Lake]

Finally, there are two interesting tribute shows taking place in December. The first one is also at Rancho Relaxo on Sunday December 14th and it's called Rock The Clashbah: A Tribute To The Clash. A whole whack of local bands including Provincial Parks, The Wilderness and Leonids are going to be playing covers of various Clash and Joe Strummer songs. Promises to be epic! Cost is $7.

The second tribute show is taking place at The Velvet Underground on Wednesday December 17th, and the cities most impressive psych rock bands will be paying tribute to the music of The Jesus and Mary Chain. On the bill is The Disraelis and The Hoa Hoa's. Others are likely to be added as well. Cost is $5.