Daring to be totally different and off-the-wall is just part of the deal for the eccentric Perth-based indie rock duo Strangejuice.
Since the 2007 release of the debut album, they have built a cult following across Australia and beyond with the mission to “mix absurdist prose with conventional and unconventional musical instruments,” as they put it.
A decade since Strangejuice’s debut album, the prolific duo continues to release new material. So it is not a surprise that the duo’s latest, the 14-track album, Raising Cannibals, is recording No. 11.
Already the album is receiving accolades from critics, fans, and followers across the globe.
Among the numerous strange standout songs on Raising Cannibals include incredibly original tracks (that sound like a cross between Tom Waits and Frank Zappa on acid) like the unforgettable, “Big Jim Smoke,” which covers so much sonic territory it’s nearly impossible to make sense of it all – but it works and in wonderful ways.
Other memorable tracks include the seemingly more sinister, perhaps satirical, “Hey You,” with interesting time signatures, romping percussions, people shouting and swirling voices, guitars and subverted melodies.
The unexpectedly melodic and upbeat, “Diet Pills,” is an inspirational-sounding track with booming choruses and hippie-like refrains: “you promised me the sun.”
As the album progresses, the listener begins to understand the various intricacies involved and just how mightily rich the music, lyrics and production are.
Different people already have different favorite tracks. Other notable songs from the album include “Put The Television On”; “Bonnie’s Dress”; “Creatures of the Night” and “Surf’s Up.” It’s a tour-de-force grande!
All of the songwriting, as well as all of the instruments – including guitars, keys, drums, and vocals – is the work of musician and songwriter Mike Anderson. Bree Smith provides additional vocals.
One of Anderson’s signatures over the years has been his eclectic and creative mix of styles and genres ranging from alt. rock and neo-psych to folk and blues influences.
Fans and critics alike have compared his music to The Pixies, Ween, Beck and Tom Waits. This is all apparent on Raising Cannibals .
From banjo plucks, screeching birds and shuffling cards, StrangeJuice records and masters all of its work in “a secret studio in Perth, Western Australia overlooking the mountains where the alcohol flows as free as the natural rivers,” Anderson wrote.
There are also unmistakable cinematic, theatrical and carnival/circus-like influences going on throughout the album, whether intentional or not.
In and of itself, a 14-track album with this much lyrical and sonic content is impressive, but the fact that it was all reportedly created in ‘roughly two weeks’ makes it even more of an accomplishment.
It’s one heck of a trip for an album – strange; beautiful; trippy; freaky; unconventional; provocative; creative and interesting; a musical kaleidoscope – of so many sorts.
“During the writing and creation of this album, nothing was sober, everything was afternoon, and there was a constant background of live chickens,” Anderson wrote.
“The entire record was conceived and created in roughly two weeks, so nothing had long enough to be overthought, contrived, or to become stale.”