Ron S Peno (Ex Died Pretty) and The Superstitions. Future Universe Vinyl LP
A$
32
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21
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Description
Ron Peno, erstwhile frontman of Died Pretty, has been quoted as saying that he considers Future Universe to be his strongest work since Doughboy Hollow (1991), and it’s hard to quarrel with that assessment. In Cam Butler (Silver Ray) he has found a songwriting partner on a par with Died Pretty’s Brett Myers. While the two Darling Downs albums Peno recorded with Kim Salmon in recent years were stunning collections of sparse country-folk, their minimalist approach proved to be somewhat restrictive in the long run and the urge to cut loose with a full electric band eventually became overwhelming for the singer.
Butler, and a supporting cast of heavily pedigreed Melbourne music Mafiosi, clearly relish working with such a dramatic lyricist and vocalist. Future Universe squarely locates the new band in the exulted company of classic artists such as Tim Rose, Roy Orbison, Lee Hazelwood and David McComb. Album opener ‘The Death Of Me’ establishes the blueprint, with Butler’s restless electric guitar and Tim Deane’s Hammond organ taking centre stage, while drummer Mark Dawson and bassist Andy Papadopoulos charge in with a train-like chugging rhythm.
A string section bolsters ‘New Blood’, but never swamps Peno’s soaring, melodic voice, which remains up-front and insistent throughout the album, with its characteristic wide-screen swoops and sighs. It’s matchless, instantly recognisable and always perfectly controlled to milk maximum pathos from the words – whether self-possessed and yearning on ‘I Wish’, or straining with pent-up sensual energy on ‘Livewired’. Most of all, it sounds effortless – the sign of true artistry.
The music, on the whole, embraces a dark romanticism. There are elements of country music present, but whereas The Darling Downs took their cue from Appalachian folk balladry and warped interpretations of bluegrass, songs like ‘Gameplan’ are closer to the melodrama of a crooner like Glenn Campbell. The band shines on ‘Fall From Above’, which revolves around a crashing drum beat and builds to a crescendo of wailing guitars that allows Peno to reach for some untrammeled high notes.
This brief moment of ecstasy is counterbalanced by the slow-burn of ‘It’s All In The Way’, on which Butler makes great use of plate reverb and subtly scraped strings on his guitar, while electric piano notes sparkle like dew drops on leaves. ‘PS Blues’ revs up the pace again, with a particularly classy, growling bass line. A tasty guitar solo on ‘My Own Fire To Light’ ensures the best is left till last. Not to be outdone, Peno pulls off a backing vocal that emerges from the shadows in a spectral echo of doo-wop and girl group harmonies.
At 40 minutes, Future Universe seems much too short, like the band has only just warmed up for the main event. In a way, that is perfect though. It is not an attempt to recapture the epicness that was the hallmark of Died Pretty, but rather a refinement of approach, driven by a forward-looking attitude. Everything about this album exudes class, wrought from its creators’ years of experience. Self-produced and perfectly recorded by engineer Idge at Melbourne’s Soundpark Studios, this is music for grown-ups, made by grown-ups.
by René Schaefer
We are always happy to combine multiple purchases for postage
All albums packed professionally and securely for transport
Tracks
The Death of Me New Blood I Wish Livewired Gameplan
Fall From Above It's All in the Way PS Blues My Own Fire to Light
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