A positive review of “Embedded”.

Author: Tim Cashmere.

Date: 7 April 2004.

Original URL: http://www.undercover.com.au/reviews/urmarkseymourembedded.html

Article Text

Mark Seymour fronted the legendary Hunters and Collectors. His work with Hunters produced songs such as ‘Holy Grail’ and ‘Throw Your Arms Around Me’ that will live forever in Australia pop culture.

Now in his 40’s and up to his third solo album, Seymour introduces us to his new album embedded with ’43 In The Shade’, a clever nod to how comfortable he is with his current position in life and work. The title makes both a reference to hot Australian summer’s day and a man in a midlife crisis. The guitar riff at the beginning is very Keith Richards in style.

Some fans may be familiar with a few of these songs. Both ‘Paradise Lost’ and ‘Waratah Street’ where previewed on Mark’s live album from The Basement from 2002. ‘Waratah Street’ is one of his most potent works ever. “Everybody’s talking and nobody’s listening, everyone’s busy and nobody’s thinking, nobody’s listening to me.” It recalls the structure of a Tom Waits song but with a listenable vocal.

‘Embedded’ is a solid, comfortable album, written and produced by an artist content with passing 40. ‘Try Not To Try’ has the melody of old H&C but in a toned down capacity. ‘A Shoulder To Cry On’ could likewise be layered in a former life to create the perfect H&C song. Same with ‘Left Alive’, we are dealing with the voice minus the angst to a certain degree. H&C is no more. ‘Embedded’ proves there is an afterlife.

Like James Reyne’s album, Seymour is also using a former Horsehead for production. Guitarist Cameron McKenzie holds court behind the controls on Embedded but doesn’t flick up the switch as loud as Scott Kingman did for Reyne.

Comments

“Paradise Lost” is called “Paradise Downunder”.