:: The Yearlings - Sweet Runaway

The Yearlings

There is little wonder that Adelaide roots duo have had one of their songs snapped up by hit TV series ‘Love My Way’. As their new (and fourth studio) album, ‘Sweet Runaway’ shows their sweet melodies know how to set a mood, and the music is just so damn sweet that you can’t help falling in love with it. I feel I should warn you though that this is really an album only for serious roots music fans, this is not an album that will convert an unbeliever. The album opens with the very sweet ‘Butterfly’ but it is the amazing vocals on ‘Distraction’ that makes you realise that you are onto to something special here. This is the kind of track that you daydream to… and it is an absolute pleasure to listen to. ‘Drive All Night’ contains a simple bass line, but once again it is the vocals that makes it something special. The simplistic touch continues with ‘Wildflower Girl’… not that harms the track in anyway… in fact it is a great track that I could easily listen to over and over. ‘Shotgun Eye’ is simply screaming out to be used on a soundtrack but it is the smooth ‘Sweet Runaway’ that sees the album reach its first speed-hump. You realise listening to this that the album is beginning to sound a bit repetitive (a shame because the songs are so special), and it’s like the producer was feeling the same way because the next track, ‘Sally Anne’ sees the album broken up a little with Robyn Chalklen’s vocals becoming more prominent. ‘Your Sweet Town’ borders more on country than roots but again is a joyful listen while the great melodies on ‘Rolling Against The Wheel’ and ‘Lay Your Head Down’ make them sweet listens indeed. ‘Still Not That Taste’ sees The Yearlings turn to a guitar-driven structure while ‘Hard Floor Tonight Blues’ rounds out what is a very special album indeed. ‘Sweet Runaway’ is a terrific album for all you roots fans out there. Beautiful harmonies and expert song-writing make for one of the best roots albums to be released in a while.