Reviewed by: HW Bones

Published:  20 December 2011

lp: self titled

Sun Theory’s self-titled offering is something well worth looking out for. Everything about it is pleasant - the simple but stand out album cover (which would make a lovely T-shirt), the full but sparse recording quality, and the thoughtful but easy listening lyrics.

Formerly known as ‘Cow’, Sun Theory is a five piece band with a very modern folk, blues and roots sound.  To my ear I can hear hints of Bruce Springsteen, The Frames and even a bit of You Am I. Front man Rich Coldwell has a voice made for this style of music, offering a restrained and musing feel and when strained has a little Paul Kelly twang to it which lends additional weight to the lyrics.

From what I can tell, Sun Theory’s release is a largely homemade affair, listening to it though you’d have a hard time believing it. The quality and structure of the recordings are so slick and settled, with just the right amount of instrumentation to make this a super easy listen.

It’s hard to pick a standout track on this album as it is so solid. If pressed I’d have to say ‘Like Coming Home’ would be my favourite as it’s probably the strangest offering on this record. Starting off with sirens, street noise and a telephone, it’s reminiscent of a Pink Floyd then falls into something vaguely Tom Petty(ish).

The best way I can describe this record to you is, that you may have noticed on some airlines during the most dangerous parts of the flight (take-off and landing) they play uplifting yet calm and relaxing music. I can fully imagine barrelling down in a steel tube from ten thousand feet at six hundred kilometres an hour towards a runway, oxygen masks swinging from the ceiling seats shaking wildly with Sun Theory playing across the speakers. I’m positive it’d make me feel pretty good about the situation.

Fantastic release this will appeal to a broad market in that it’s so damn easy to like. If I were in Sun Theory I’d be keeping my phone off silent and expecting a call from Richard Branson. Did I mention this was an easy listen?