As a fan of classic rock, I was instantly captivated by Fur Coat & the Peace Boat, the new EP from Sydney five-piece Burn Antares. The band wears its influences on its sleeve, with songs references the likes of Jefferson Airplane and Curtis Mayfield.
It opens with “Crystal Love” which is just so gutsy and soulful and joyous. It’s a great retro throwback that I instantly warmed to. “Rich Man” has more of a country bent, with a warm electric guitars and pianos. Stevie Nicks could easily have recorded this back in the day. “Knight in Shining” brings more good vibes. I imagine this would have gone down a treat at Woodstock or at some hippie commune. It’s just got such positivity.
The brooding “Discord and the Amity” didn’t strike as much of a chord with me, perhaps because it came off so many songs that felt so good. It’s a quality song, but its darkness feels a little out of place on this EP. “Vangablonde” ends the Fur Coat & the Peace Boat with another country-inspired ditty. It’s coolly mellow, and reminds me of something that might have come from the soundtrack of a Western film.
Fur Coat & the Peace Boat is out now. Burn Antares will support its release with shows along the East Coast later this month.
11 July 2015 – Standard Bowl, Sydney
17 July 2015 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
18th July 2015 – Yah Yah’s, Melbourne
31 July 2015 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
1 August 2015 – The Bearded Lady, Brisbane
Image used with permission from RiSH Publicity