The Dusty Dream Hole Album Review

If we could combine the voices of Greg Johnson with a dash of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Jeff Buckley we would be close to the sultry and charismatic voice of Richard Setford. This clever fellow also composed, produced and engineered the fourteen-tracks in conjunction with Olly Harmer, who recorded the drums and did the mastering and mixing at The Lab in Mt Eden.

The tour de force entitled ‘The Dusty Dream Hole’ is abundantly original and aurally remarkable. The debut album by Auckland based Bannerman sneaks its way into your consciousness through clever song writing and wonderful production. Well-rounded structures in an alt-country and rock n roll fashion seamlessly paint a masterpiece, both lyrically dark and beautiful while retaining a delicate intoxicating ambience.

The first song Where The Shadows Are works its way from a warm and easy-going experience to a crazy and annoying cacophony. Thankfully this is not where the majority of the songs find their basis. Perhaps it is best to say that Bannerman are just checking to see if you are awake before gently serenading you with the beautiful music on the rest of the release. Down-to-earth songs such as the second track Deep In The Forest and fourth Glass Blowers Of The Misty Mountains carry Beatle-esque attributes; from their acid influenced era. While songs like Some Kind Of Man, Hills & Valleys and Caverns are skilfully simple and spacious, giving the album a natural unpretentious quality.

With Finn Scholes and Andrew McDowell on trumpet, Wairere Iti on sax and Hadyn Godfrey on trombone, the horn section throughout the CD is nicely mixed and arranged. It’s not until the thirteenth track I Am Animal that Oliver Emmet’s trombone really kicks into play. Likewise the percussion is subtly mixed. Alistair Deverick’s (The Hot Grits, The Shades) drumming is in the pocket while rich bass lines from a mystery bass player reverberate wonderfully.

I had to have another listen just to check which song featured Siobhanne Thompson’s violin; to tell the truth, any excuse will do to give this album more than one spin. The real stand out for me is the superb last track In A Dark Place There Is A Light. As with previous tracks, Flip Grater’s dulcet vocals enhance Richard’s sometimes-sleepy tinged voice, enveloping me in a warm resonance that I look forward to revisiting.

Multifaceted and pure of essence ‘The Dusty Dream Hole’ is a stunning debut album.