Constantly active, The Murlocs follow up their 2022 release Rapscallion with the excellent Calm Ya Farm. Originally the Melbourne-based outfit thought their new record would focus on country/Americana, but during recording things took a sideways detour into catchy English pub rock, and apparently had too much fun to leave.
This also being The Murlocs (lead singer/guitarist/harmonica player Ambrose Kenny-Smith, guitarist Callum Shortal, drummer Matt Blach, bassist Cook Craig, and keyboardist Tim Karmouche), a group that shares members with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and ORB, there will be prog-flashes and garage distortion, but for the most part, these sunshiny numbers bounce with glee.
Kicking off with the upbeat party rock and ode to youth, “Initiative” the group sets an exuberant tone as The Murlocs seem to be enjoying themselves immensely throughout Calm Ya Farm. Boisterous guitar riffs and vibrant harmonicas are reminiscent of the James Gang with touches of the Small Faces ring out on the successful “Common Sense Civilian”. Kenny-Smith in particular sounds like a confident Rod Stewart (with better harmonica work) throughout the album.
The organ-led groove of “Russian Roulette” is exciting as it splashes on light touches of prog, “Centennial Perspective” uses marching drums and strong singing while funky bass, piano, and that killer harmonica lead the charge during “Superstitious Insights”.
All are great, but Calm Ya Farm reaches its peak as “Queen Pinky” begins with some odd sounds but moves quickly into a 70’s soul-tinged burner via, electric guitar, strings, piano, and percussion while “Undone and Unashamed” is even better with upbeat sounds and a dynamite saxophone solo bringing it all home.
The album recedes a bit during the latter stages with the repetitive “Catfish” feeling out of place, but the warbling guitar and harmonica interplay on the instrumental “Forbidden Toad” brings things back into the fold and the record ends on the high note of the hip-shaking, garage/pub rocking “Aletophyte”.
Cleaner and lighter than past efforts, The Murlocs Calm Ya Farm is their best full album yet as the good time sounds flow like free wine at a late-night afterparty.
