06'01

THE AVALANCHES Since I Left You  (XLCD138) XL Recordings 2001 18 Tracks. 60mins38secs. Buy this CD on line now

How easy is it to switch from punk to hip-hop-disco-pop? According to The Avalanches, it is as easy as putting a pair of odd socks on in the morning. When Robbie Chatter and flatmate Darren Seltmann got together to play music, it was to share a common interest in a handful of Japanese punk bands. And for some time, that’s all they did. Officiating under the flowery names of The Swinging Monkey Cocks and Quinton's Brittle Bones, they soon were joined by more lunatics, as they were sharpening their knives all over Melbourne, disregarding the rules of rock by swapping instruments as they pleased. Then, they somehow naturally turned to samplers and hip-hop, still managing to create mayhem everywhere they played, including when opening for bands such as The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Jimi Tenor, Public Enemy or Beck. Although they released their first single, Rock City, back in 1997, The Avalanches really got noticed with the catchy Since I Left You, which opens the album here. Since then, it has been a monumental whirlwind for the six-some, and their first offering has become one of the best selling Australian record in history. Let’s face it, it is virtually impossible to describe what Since I Left You (the album) is all about in a few words, as the six members play cheeky monkeys from beginning to end. It seems as nothing is sacred, and samples, from Madonna’sHoliday to Boney M’s Ma Baker, come flying thick and fast, ornamenting or supporting their incredible thirst for beats and funky sounds. The careful listener will recognised moments from the Mamas & Papas, Jimmy Webb, Sergio Mendez, The Isley Brothers, Kid Creole & The Coconuts or The Osmonds, to name but a few, and in no particular order. Cutting and pasting, knitting songs so close together that it is impossible to tell them apart, allowing genres to be promiscuous with each other, The Avalanches do it all, all in the name of groove. The radio-friendly Since I Left You (the single), with its flute, blustery feel and sample borrowed from sixties white soul outfit The Main Attraction, is only the tip of the iceberg, and appears tamed compared to the rest of the album. If their live performances tend to be chaotic, this record is equally as anarchic. It results in Since I Left You (the album) being a most exhilaratingly entertaining piece of musical nonsense heard in years as they cram some eighteen jam-packed songs in just sixty minutes. Highlights include the disco-driven Radio, the electro-hip-hop Flight Tonight, the luminous A Different Feeling, the funky Electricity, the hilarious cinematic Frontier Psychiatrist or the groovy Live At Dominoes. With all the hype surrounding Since I Left You, it is hard to ignore The Avalanches. But, for once, as a UK magazine put it a while ago, believe the hype. This first album is an insolent masterpiece. Watch out for the end of the year polls… Since I Left You will feature in good place almost everywhere. Promise.

TRACK LISTING 01 Since I Left You 10 Electricity 02 Stay Another 11 Tonight 03 Radio 12 Pablo's Cruise 04 Two Hearts In 3/4 Time 13 Frontier Psychiatrist 05 Avalanche Rock 14 Etoh 06 Flight Tonight 15 Summer Crane 07 Close To You 16 Little Journey 08 Diners Only 17 Live At Dominoes 09 A Different Feeling 18 Extra Kings

THE SURFER'S GUIDE TO THE AVALANCHES MODULAR RECORDINGS The label that started the all Avalanches thing. Modular Recordings offer an interesting range of artists and a beautiful web site. XL RECORDINGS With a roster ranging from Badly Drawn Boy to The Prodigy and Basement Jaxx to Leila, XL Recordings have proved an enduring label in the UK. THE AVALNCHES HOMEBASE This site is the one-stop-shop you need to be up-to-scratch with the Australian band. The site offers a very complete overview of The Avalanches, with news, comprehensive discography, a forum, a quote section and much more... Well designed too! THE AVALANCHES.NET Good fan site, includes pictures, discography, songpoll...