Eskimo Joe - Black Fingernails Red Wine [album]

Mushroom Records

November 16, 2008, 09:50 PM

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Eskimo Joe’s third album Black Fingernails Red Wine is on my list of favourite albums of all time - granted, it’s a pretty big list, this album is still nonetheless on there. Released in Eskimo Joe’s native Australia in June 2006, Black Fingernails Red Wine is a solid, mature, and sublimely dark release from a sterling trio.

Black Fingernails Red Wine begins leisurely with “Comfort You”, a mainly instrumental song forming a perfect opening track for what is to come. It’s easy to get into the mood for the album with “Comfort You”, and will make a lot more sense once you’ve listened to the album full way through.

Next up, “New York” weaves in with a seamless piano transition and lead singer, Kav Temperley’s voice sneaks in on top with a perfect ruggedness that dominates. These first two tracks are perfectly composed, comfortable and together (quite like a third album should be). Once Eskimo Joe get going in this track, it becomes obvious that these boys mean business with the album.

Title track, “Black Fingernails, Red Wine” comes in with the bass forced beat and, just when you become concerned that the song and the album are both taking a horrible turn for the depressing, the timing and musical gumption take it in a complete different direction and it manages to be insightful and up beat as well. The simplicity in the arrangement and lyrics really makes “Black Fingernails Red Wine” one to note from the album. No wonder this is the title track as it sums up the album nicely, so if you have heard this song and liked it - I can guarantee you will like this album.

The 4th single from Black Fingernails Red Wine, “Breaking Up” really gives Temperley a chance to shine on vocals. His voice is strange in a soothing, folk kind of way and his lyrics are well written, yet not too complicated to make Eskimo Joe seem like they are trying to be something they are not.

“Setting Sun” takes a reflective look at being forever young ("Forever Young" being the original title of the track, which was changed after release, no doubt to escape comparisons to Youth Group’s remake of the original Alphaville track that was released around the same time). I like this track for many reasons, one being the use of bells near the end giving it a stadium grandiose vibe.

One of the best tracks on the album, “London Bombs” is molded into a heart felt, lonely track by way of piano and a string section forming a sad ballad of loss in a little town called London. Drummer Joel Quartermain shines on this track at the piano proving they are all impressive musicians in their own right.
“Sarah”, the follow up single to the title track was released in September 2006. This is a faster, slightly more pop rock song that is easy to sing along to and always goes down well at an Eskimo Joe concert.

A mainly acoustic guitar driven number, “This is Pressure” has Temperley showing off his vocal talent again reaching high notes like it’s nothing.
“Beating like a Drum” is another well-crafted indie rock track, with sing along lyrics and a forceful beat that makes its title fit perfectly.

The two-minute long “Reprise” is a subtle mix of piano, distorted guitar and strong orchestral section – arranged totally by guitarist, Stu MacLeod. I like what Eskimo Joe have done here with this and the opening track, taking their time and making the entire album seem like a lot of thought went into it.

“Suicide Girl” is more reminiscent of previous Eskimo Joe releases in that, despite the title, it is a lot more light-hearted and neutral but still fits in on this release.

The album, while being darker and slightly moodier than anything previous from Eskimo Joe, manages to steer away from being depressing, and final track “How Does it Feel” keeps you wanting more from Eskimo Joe.

Eskimo Joe are currently in the studio recording material for their fourth album. They are also touring the UK, but be quick to get tickets – they are selling out fast, and quite rightly!

http://www.myspace.com/eskimojoemusic

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