Mali Mali - Self Titled [EP]

An Introspective Journey

May 30, 2009, 10:57 AM

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There are some bands that make you want to get up and dance. There are others that put you to sleep. It’s not often that you find an album that does both — and I mean this as a compliment.

The self-titled EP by North Shore’s Mali Mali is a half-hour blissful journey. It starts out with the little foot-taping number, ‘This Many Years’. It should be the first sound you hear when you wake up. You lie in bed for a minute or so listening before it encourages you to rise and dress. The day awaits.

That leads into ‘One Man Chase’, which sounds inspired by Coldplay’s ‘Viva la Vida’ album (though was possibly written earlier). At this point you’re listening on your iPod as you drink your banana smoothie breakfast and head out the door. You’d normally take the bus but the song inspires you to walk. On the way you smile at a passer-by.

‘Saint James’ is a short intermission. It’s a stop in the park on the way to your destination. You don’t talk to anyone — you just observe. You’re on a park bench by yourself. There’s room for other people to sit, but they don’t, because you’re sitting there, and it’s awkward sitting next to strangers on park benches. Children are probably playing on the swings.

Soon ‘Colours You’ve Never Seen’ strikes and you realise you were going somewhere. So you get up and go on your way. (And someone else sits on the bench.) You’re walking briskly now — the music is rushing you. You have somewhere to be so you break into a slow jog. The music runs along with you — it senses your urgency.

You arrive.

Cue ‘Cisco’.

You’re too late.

Whatever you were rushing to get to has left without you. So you stand there… and look… and see nothing. You probably sit down at this point; maybe you stare at your shoes. You think about the kids on their swings — their cares brushed aside by every swoop. Perhaps you need to swing. But you don’t. You sit… and think.

After a while it doesn’t seem so important. It doesn’t bother you any more. ‘For Now’ you stop caring and things seem slightly better. So you stand up and start walking home. You’re not in a hurry so you take your time.
When you return, you feel the warmth of the fireplace. You walk into your bedroom, take off your shoes, and sit on your bed.

You lie down.

Close your eyes.

And sleep.

Tomorrow you will wake up again and your stereo will play Mali Mali. And your foot will tap a little.

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