Talisman - Gus McKay reviewed by Mr. Bones

In Talisman Mckay produces a sound that is as powerful and eery as the outback of his native Australia. While the sound reflects the earthiness of his farming background, its distorted guitars, jazzy trumpet, cello and Waits style vocals gives it an edge that would make it right at home in a Terrintino film (look out T Bone Burnett, this guy is bad). If you like your blues both edgy, yet accessible, give Talisman a spin.

FCC: None
RIFL: Ry Cooder, Tom Waits, T Bone Burnett

*1 Art of Living - slowish story of life in a rundown rural town with a menacing bass
&distorted guitar (4:38).
*2 Fallen Down - slow tempo featuring exquisite interplay between organ, bass &
trumpet (3:50).
*3 Hundred Acres - describes hard farming life by alternating between quiet vocals
and driving crescendos (4:13)
*4 Piawaning Suit - mid-tempo, bad-ass sound with interesting banjo & fiddle
(3:26)
5 The Man - describes immigrant who makes it with great string bass, organ
and harp (4:20)
6 Muse - slow & jazzy with spoken vocals and nice piano & bass accompaniment
(3:55)
7 Bohemian Life - desolate story of life after love lost with allegory to the Australian
outback (4:25)
8 Murchison Sequel - quiet, spooky story about going home (3:25)
9 Gingin Morning - slowish, mostly instrumental with nice steel guitar (3:36)
10 Last Dance - slow, vivid story of closing time at an old road side beer joint (3:10)

*Mr. Bones especially likes these