Of the people I talk to who know the Llama Farmers exist, many if not all of them totally respect the post-grunge groove of this awesome four piece. Unfortunately for the Llama’s however, many of these people would never, on any account, envisage setting off to the back roads of, lets say, Camden – The Underworld for example –because a band that can’t summon plus 1000 is shit right? Well the Llama Farmers have never really broken out of the back London venue scene, leaving them stranded from the widespread recognition they need. For a band that has so often been heralded as “next years big thing” the Llamas seem destined to fade into the background before they produce that much needed hit record. The question is, will “Note on the Door” lead another band into the musical utopia of chart success?
Like all good Llama Farmer tracks “Note on the Door” relies upon a streaming, sparkling riff that carries the song through to its culmination with pace and an eloquent dynamic character, set amongst the sturdy bass and pounding drums of the rhythm section. As always, Bernie Simpson’s vocals catch the spirit of the song, gently stroking the song’s integral harmonies with his thoughtful and sometimes intense melodies. Lyrically, the Llama Farmers words always leave me that little bit happier; simply from their apparent nonsensical disorder! Anyone who knows anything about ‘stream of consciousness’ will understand what I mean when I say that the Llama Farmer’s writings appear to be lifted straight from Bernie’s personal daily confusion! Whilst often appearing to make little sense at all, they always enlighten you, just by providing your brain with fantastical images of activities only possible in dreams, or more likely, when caught at the height of some drug induced experience.
With five tracks, “Note on the Door” is really a short length e.p. Songs, “little Bugs” and the enchanting acoustic version of “Postcards and Moonrock” lull you into a lovely little fuzz of indie-rock warmness, whilst “7even Twists Clockwise” becomes the feel good song of the record with its bouncing rhythm and campsite feel irregular hand claps!
“Note on the Door” is definitely a must have for frontline Llama fans but considering it competitively, it is unlikely to do itself economic justice. As their latest single this will not take the Llama Farmers by their ears and herd them into the cowshed, it does not have the spark that great songs need to get themselves noticed but for me though the Llama Farmers will always remain a great band. A beautiful piece of reflective rock.
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6Ed***d Mellett's Score