The Tall Poppies – All the Rave

Harmonious: The Tall Poppies

All the Rave is the long-awaited second album from the aptly named Tall Poppies.

Long-stemmed duo Catherine and Susan Hay are identical twins who have spent the last few years flitting between their native Australia and various Hackney haunts developing this latest offering, a pleasant blend of melodic pop, clever harmonies and unusual circumstances.

The album kicks off with the title track, a song which juxtaposes sleazy, fuzzy guitars with captivatingly quaint vocals, as the girls sing somewhat sardonically about love being “a big joke (so get yourself a new bloke).”

After mellower numbers ‘Suzy’ and ‘No Reply’ follow, the album really signals its intent with ‘Antony’, a charming song about falling in love with a friend who’s gay (and not, apparently, “in the old fashioned way”). The lyrics are wonderfully witty whilst the melody dreamily hints at the bitter sweetness of fancying someone you don’t stand a chance with.

‘Tom’ unapologetically stomps in with a much heavier vibe. This is a good sound for the Poppies, as their rather pretty vocal style works well with the foil of an extra bit of attack. The deliciously sassy hook line, “if you’re disappointed, what did you expect?” is almost spat out in sarcasm.

The rest of the album tackles matters of the heart as well as some more complex elements, which contrast well against the twins’ comic patter. Catherine and Susan’s interchangeable vocals really do shine in these latter numbers, and most notably in the stripped back acoustic song ‘Goodnight Catherine’.

The sources from which the group borrows seem clear (it would be easy to draw Kate Bush comparisons), but there are also more complex undertones, reminiscent of Suzanne Vega, mixed with a less-easily-defined sound which is something unique to the Poppies themselves. Although there’s a sense in the early songs that this isn’t quite the finished article, by the end of the album you’re left feeling quite contented and hoping it won’t be another seven years until their next release.

For more go to The Tall Poppies.