Album Review: Hindsight

Ōtautahi based five-piece Bad Llamas are a talented bunch. They’ve been racking up a reputation as a great live act down South, and to be honest, I’m feeling a little bit of FOMO.

Fortunately, their latest collection of new, current and past quality indie/pop provides brilliant insight and promise into what they can achieve when let loose on a room with tap or two. To my ears they are one of the best pub/party bands I’ve heard this year.

Staring with the solid rocker title track, Hindsight is appropriately a mix of previously released material and new stuff. I’m not exactly sure what the tennis theme on the video is about but I enjoyed the cheeky humour of it. Didn’t we all secretly play solos on the tennis racket guitar on our bed room stages when we were 10 yrs old?

Confused & Losing, Riesling and Early Hours first appeared on 2019’s What Even Is Bad Llamas?, back when Brown, Kindon, McLaughlin and Millington were just a 4-piece. Our reviewer praised their chemistry and technical, yet accessible musicianship. And I’d agree. Throughout the whole album you can hear some beautifully constructed songs that honour their influences.

Confused & Losing should be an out take from a Tarantino film, with plenty of guitar fuzz and fury, nods to 70’s FM rockers like the Allman Bros, Lynard Skynard and my personal addiction of choice, the Black Crowes. I really dug the swaggering rhythm guitars and gravel-vox, giving extra edge and authenticity.

There’s no denying the bluesy Jimmy Page touches on Riesling. But what kicks it for me is McLaughlin and drummer Alex Parsons’ double time engine room tempo which carries extra groove-baggage past the bridge’s quick strat solo all the way to the track’s climatic ending.

Early Hours should be the closing number at any concert. A positive slice of strut, if ever I heard it. Brian Seltzer’s lacing up his brothel creepers as we speak! Best of all, Kindon’s shining solo, all be it just a fraction too short. Add another ½ hour of that and I’ll be happier!

Another oldie is the MOR 80’s take, Can’t Take You Anywhere which was released in 2023, I believe. The early chords took me back to 80’s twang popstars like Aztec Camera and Netherworld Dancing Toys. Or more recently, Hans Pucket and Dateline.

Again, I agree with the review of the time, the way the song starts off sweet and mellow, then dives into the darker indie pop phrasing pool. That’s a really nice surprise and shows how this band can own their influences and shape them, not just emulate the well-trodden paths.

Well, that’s the return mail. Adding to the collection are songs that move away from the 70’s/blues template in search of Britpop flavours like Menswear and Franz Ferdinand (Hindsight) or Ocean Colour Scene (What To Do). The latter is an infectious crowd-pleasing earworm. It’s not hard to imagine a boozy, sweaty room chanting over and over the final chorus lines: “I don’t want to talk about it all night” at the top of their lungs! Step aside, Victoria, there’s a new anthem in town! And if that didn’t sell it then check out the sexy honky tonk keyboards, courtesy of Daria Dyagileva that opens the number.

There’s more 90’s Blighty bravado on the souring Dance Forever and slightly snotty-punky rocker Hard To Tell. Love the guitars on this one as they lead the track through its paces.

Just when you think a softer moment is coming on we get Sometimes. It’s a little bit country and a little bit rock’n’roll. Now, while that could be a bit naff, it’s saved by a very clever and infectious chorus. If you were in a pub right now everyone around you’d be chanting at deafening levels: “Sometimes we dig deep, sometimes we find out feet. Sometimes we make it all! Repeat!”

A nod to Oasis finds a late appearance. Sun Comes Out takes the Gallagher brothers’ tried and true big ballad template with the swelling chorus looking to infamous numbers like Look Back In Anger for guidance and direction.

To finish, Catch A Ride takes a honky-tonk victory lap lead by Dyagileva’s vamping keyboards and Kindon’s blistering guitar solo. Full jazz hands and claps on this Gospel inspired closer.

Phew. I might need a cup of tea and a lie down after that session. What a stunning release. Sure, there’s plenty that’s familiar here but isn’t that a good thing, sometimes. Let’s face it, times are a bit dark currently. We need good time bands like Bad Llamas to brighten us up. They’re on speed dial for my next party, for sure!