One of the better reissues of 2020, and one which seems to have slipped under the radar, is the recent release of A Good Kind of Nervous from The Lucksmiths by Matinée Recordings. The 1997 album from the Australian band, on vinyl here for the first time, is a delightful record, and one which charms in a simple, direct, and unaffected way.
While "Under the Rotunda" and "Punchlines" recall early Belle & Sebastian, or any number of Sarah Records bands, the more morose compositions on A Good Kind of Nervous work in other ways, and play on other emotions in a listener. "The Invention of Ordinary Everyday Things" stakes a deliberate path, while the simply playful "Wyoming" marries a folk-y hook with a economical melodic line. Tali White's vocals, like on so many tracks here, soothe the soul, and reveal a decidedly Aussie spin on an indie-pop style many associate mostly with British bands.
A Good Kind of Nervous contains nothing that's not lovely, with The Lucksmiths here revealing the right kind of light touch, one which never overstates anything, nor belabors an emotion. In that sense, it's less bright twee-pop, and something instead closer to early Go-Betweens numbers in some way. The Lucksmiths' poetry is different, of course, but it's lovely all the same.
A Good Kind of Nervous (1997) is back in print on a fine reissue available now from Matinée Recordings.
[Photo: Lucksmiths Bandcamp]