Swamp Thing rock!

A sojourn in that country American politicians know as Asia, however short, reinforces the idea that often things are not exactly what they seem. Particularly food.

Indian Bombay duck has nothing to do with ducks; in Singapore, carrot cake doesn't contain carrots, and isn't a cake; Japanese plum wine isn't made from plums; and Maekhong Thai Whisky – that country's most popular amber spirit – isn't actually whisky.

Moving along from food, a trip to Singapore's popular Orchard Towers is ample reminder that you often shouldn't judge a book's contents by its cover.

It's been good to be away, and it's good to be back. Whether the wet chill of winter is better or worse than being carpet-bombed in the Thai jungle by insects resembling flying black lobsters is something I have never previously considered considering. So travel, at the very least, indeed broadens the mind.
It was a particular pleasure to get back and find Grant Haua's new album waiting to be reviewed. And, once again, all is not at all what I expected with it. For a start, calling it Grant Haua's new album is something of a misrepresentation: it is an album from a band, a band called Swamp Thing (great name!). But it's the smallest possible band you can form, a duo. Grant's partner in Swamp Thing is Rotorua drummer and percussionist Michael Barker.

You might not have heard of Barker, but he has a serious pedigree. He played on various reunion tours with Split Enz and with both Neil and Tim Finn to promote their respective solo albums. He was percussionist when the NZ Symphony orchestra made their recording of Split Enz songs, ENZO, in 1995. Resident in Australia since 1985, he has played with Crowded House, Kasey Chambers, Missy Higgins, Nathan Haines, The Black Sorrows and many more.

Most significantly, at the start of 2004 he joined the John Butler Trio with whom he recorded the album Grand National and toured all over, including extensive work in the States, where he played – amongst other places – the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, the Newport Folk Festival and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. That particular line-up of the trio disbanded in 2009 and Michael finally returned to Rotorua.
So, as you can see, Michael Barker is a heavyweight.

This becomes immediately clear as the title track of the debut Swamp Thing album, Balladeer, kicks off. That they are a duo is completely deceptive – it's a full-on assault of wild guitar and solid chest-pounding drums. Astonishingly, I think the guitar (or guitars), are actually acoustic though you wouldn't assume that from the frantic blues riffing.

‘Can't Eat', second up, is in the same vein but with its hooky backing vocals and subtle but distinct production it becomes clear that this is not simply an album of niche-appeal blues: this is music aimed squarely at rock radio. It was recorded at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studio in Auckland with Eddie Rayner mixing, hardcore songs, possibly for a similar audience that John Butler found with his guitar-driven grooves.

Then there's an abrupt change of pace. ‘Never Be' is an almost-reggae, almost-pacific feel, highlighted by Barker's melodic percussion (wood blocks) and Grant's simple yet striking harmonica. It's also a very cool little song, like all of them here (except a ferocious take on Ritchie Havens' ‘Freedom') credited to Haua / Barker.

And the songs are good, even the one odd inclusion, a Barker-sung piano ballad, which pleasant though it is, seems to have dropped in from a different session.

I can't say enough about this album. It instantly raises the bar for local blues releases both through quality and its unique crossover sound. If Michael Barker is as good a businessman as he is a drummer then Grant and he will be out conquering the world almost immediately. You can buy it at Tracs in Tauranga. Do so and prepare to be amazed. I can't wait to see them live. Extraordinary, brilliant stuff.
And to finish, just for the curious: Bombay duck is a variety of salted fish; Singaporean carrot cake comprises stir-fried turnips, often with egg; Japanese plum wine is made from unripe apricots; and Maekhong Thai Whisky is made from sugar cane and molasses, making it – basically – rum.

(And, to really finish, following last week's ukulele article, Music Planet at the Mount report that they have a full shop of ukes and say the temporary shortage in the country only lasted about a month - it was those pesky Americans' fault. Their ukes range from $39 to $700 and even include models from top-notch brand Martin. Sopranos, tenors, baritones, electrics, they're all there. The ever-reliable Trevor Braunias can lead you through the bounty - get in there and get strumming!)

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