:: Blame Ringo - Lucky Number 9

Blame Ringo

Blame Ringo is all the kitschy, folksy pop you‘d expect from a band named after one of the Beatles. Admittedly Blame Ringo was not their first choice. The band's original name was Goodnight Vienna, but after some nasty legal threats from the one and only Ringo Starr, who despite loving their music, thoroughly objected to them using the copyrighted title of his fourth solo album (as if anyone actually remembers it), they had to change it. And thus began Blame Ringo's lifelong mission to expose the Beatles’ drummer… yes they're really that pissed! Luckily for the Brisbane four piece all that pent up rage proved to be some incredible inspiration. Lucky Number 9 doesn't even hint at the nasty name changing chaos that was going on behind the scenes. A fantastically well put together, fresh and creative debut album, their sound is clean and all together a little left field; think sweet, boy band harmonies with a funky indie vibe and folk melody. The lead single “Garble Arch” perfectly captures what the boys are about. Nostalgic, the track is slow and infused with some great acoustic guitar riffs that would make the band's hero and inspiration Paul Simon very proud. “Garble Arch” is definitely gutsy music for an Australian band just starting out. But as great as “Garble Arch” is, it's not Lucky Number 9's can't-get-out-of-my-head track. That illustrious title goes to “Chess Club”. After a rather passive start, “Chess Club” ambles through a repetitive, soft vocal, dare I say almost country melody, before thrusting the tempo all the way up. And it's here that things get addictive. The chorus to this song is seriously good with an electric guitar that has all the glamour and punk of the best 80's indie rock anthem. “Walking Away” is another standout track. The amazing thing about Blame Ringo is that their songs aren't just good, they're simply impressive, original and for want of a better description, easy to get obsessed about. With all it's cheeky burlesque lyrics and jazz saxophone melody, “Walking Away” is cool and unconventional. Yes Blame Ringo do sound a bit like their namesake. They're similar to the Beatles in the later years, but on a much bigger folk trip and with the kind of class you only get in Australian bands. A fantastic album, Lucky Number 9 is one of those things you just can't put down.