Jubilee Park - Love Me

Label:	Antfarm Records
Released:	1999
Highlights:	Still Within I Could BeYou Easy Another Town The Fence

Rating: 8/10


Jubilee Park, the third album by Sydney’s Love Me, sees the band moving away from the predominant alt. country sounds of their previous albums to a broader mix of acoustic pop, folk rock and country influences that is distinctly Australian without being cliched. Although the lap and peddle steel guitars are still prominent, other instruments such as piano, organ and harmonica play a more active role in the band’s sound, as heard in the hypnotic opening track, Still Within.

The overall mood of Jubilee Park tends to be downbeat and sad, which by the albums end becomes too much to take in one sitting. The album would have greatly benefited by having one or two more upbeat tracks. Luckily for Love Me, however, they have the advantage of having three distinct singers, which adds variation and stops Jubilee Park from becoming too monotonous. Madeleine King has a lovely high pitch, which contrasts greatly with Mandy Pearson’s really deep, distinct and smoky voice. Then there is songwriter Tom Kristensen who sings a couple of songs on his own although unfortunately his voice tends to be the weakest of the three, although his duet with Madeleine King on I Could Be You is one of the album’s highlights.

I find myself trying really hard to like Jubilee Park but too often I find myself thinking that the arrangements and harmonies could have been stronger. Subsequently, although Jubilee Park is a strong album from start to finish, it lacks that something special to be a great album.


Back To New Reviews
Check Out The Old Reviews