A Crazy Dream by Marni Sheehan and Mark Smith is a unique and cultural album that perfectly epitomes Australian country with a mix of T Bone Burnett style riffs. ‘Boots Gully Population 24’ delivers that country twang that for some reason always makes me think of the scene in every prison movie where they are driving along a desert highway in the truck with impressive fiddle arrangements contrasting the guitar and delivering a very melancholic yet beautiful finished result.
‘Heavy Weather’ is vocalised by its slow South American-esque guitar and spearheaded by Marni Sheehan’s sombre and enigmatic vocals. ‘Hume Highway’ reminds me a bit of Urge Overkill’s ‘Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon’ due to Mark Smith’s impressive guitar work.
‘Deep Dark Troubled Water’ rounds out the album and includes the subtle additions of the washboard, jug, harmonica and banjo which really helps emphasis the country sound.
Whilst this isn’t an album I would usually stumble across, (seeing as the sections of the record store I usually flock too is punk and metal) I’m really glad I did, and I think if you were to suss it you would feel the same.
Sheehan and Smith have an incredible gift at not only music but also in story telling and it’s a shame this album hasn’t received the praise it deserves.
4/5
Green South Records
Reviewed by Alex Callan
