April 2006 / October 2005 / February-April 2005 / November-December 2004 / July 2004 / March-April 2004 / November-December 2003 / June-July 2003 / March-April 2003 / January-February 2003 / December 2002 / November 2002 / August 2002 / May-June 2002 / November 2001 / October 2001 / June-July 2001 / all web exclusives / search

Melbourne's The Small Knives are joint singer-songwriters Leo Mullens and Philip Romeril; here augmented by Barry Turnbull, a sublime presence on pedal steel almost throughout, together with Marty Brown (Art of Fighting) and Trent Walker on occasional drums and cello respectively.
This is a quietly engaging record that might possibly wash over you a little at first but bear with it and you will be rewarded.  At times they're not that dissimilar to label-mates Golden Rough and, like them, there's a discernible Pernice Brothers influence at times. There's a hint too of early Ryan Adams, fortunately at his least histrionic. At their best on Paper Wings, Hardin Your Heart or The Line for example, heartstrings will be tugged, feet will be tapped and smiles will be beamed.
Perhaps a little unassuming at times, overall 'Rain On Tin' boasts some good - sometimes very good - songs. That the album is The Small Knives' debut hints at the promise of better things to come and that, more importantly, the results will be worth looking forward to.

Geraint Jones
July 2004

back