Beefheart & McQuinn

This one has been stuck on repeat from the moment it came my way. An intriguing record, even without a spin, the album brings together recent favorite Winter McQuinn (Sunfruits) along with British expat Moby Beefheart, aka William Murray (formerly of UK outfit Fur). While the record is an exploration of the undeniable chemistry between Murray and McQuinn, it also picks up from where McQuinn last left off solo. Winter’s last was a record that was rooted in collaboration, lacquering ‘70s touches across works with Hot Apple Band, Dylan Young, Feign Jima, and Acacia Pip. The spirit of collaboration lives on in the debut from Beefheart & McQuinn, along with a palpable penchant for the softer side of the ‘70s. The band locks into a mahogany and lavender lilt, finding their footing between the easy breeze of Simon & Garfunkle, JJ Cale, and some more esoteric ends of the folk rock spectrum; think Batdorf & Rodney, Wooden Horse, or Japanese duo Fluid.

The pair stuns with just a few strums and the kind of resonant, entwined harmonies that are usually reserved for siblings. Yet, they know just when to kick in the rhythm, adding a chugging Cale cantor to “Do It Again,” and an easy thump to “Melting.” Lace in a few birds over the more spare moments and they’d even bring to mind Heron’s pastoral peace. Unexpectedly one of the prevailing themes under the album’s honeyed hues is the chafe of late stage capitalism. Not the typical fair for something with so much breeze in its hair, but the band manages to weave anxiety and isolation into something bittersweet and beautiful. The record’s only down side might be that it’s over quickly, clocking in at under 30 minutes, though each song swaddles the listener so well that it’s easy to feel lost for moments well beyond the runtime. A stunning debut, the kind of record you either get into now or spend years searching the bins to find on the rumors and remembrances of quicker collectors. Along with Bures Band, Clove, Hot Apple Band, and Winter’s solo work, the new wave of folk out of Australia has been one to watch and this is a gem amongst the bunch to be sure.

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