Luka Bloom
Tribe
Big Sky/Shock


Irish singer, songwriter and frequent visitor to Australian shores Luka Bloom returns with his new album, the release of which coincided with his recently concluded Australian tour.

'Tribe' is largely a collaboration with Simon O'Reilly, a noted composer and producer of film scores and instrumental music, with some additional guest musicians. O'Reilly recorded the majority of the music to which Bloom added lyrics and vocal melodies. Apparently not once did the two of them sit down and play together in the same studio.

So what's it like? Well, it's quite good. Sort of. Okay, I guess. I know that's being totally indecisive and non-committal, but even after repeated listens I'm still not convinced that this is one of Bloom's better releases. It seems to me that despite his best efforts, Bloom's singing and lyrics don't always quite gel or seem just out of step with O'Reilly's music.

This is evident on Dead Of Night and Lebanon. Not bad songs by any means, but Bloom's earthy, lilting Irish voice and often-political lyrics do seem at odds with the subdued, World-flavoured music supplied by O'Reilly.

That said there are some wonderful moments on 'Tribe'. Out There sees the music and words come together in a beautiful, wistful lament. Homeless is a terrific, topical and amusing spoken word piece over an unobtrusive ambient musical background that sees Bloom musing on how a homeless person he came across in Hollywood could in fact be the model environmental citizen.

There are three instrumentals on offer, of which Star Of Doolin is probably the standout. All demonstrate the quality of O'Reilly's compositions and stand up well in their own right.

There is no such thing as a bad Luka Bloom album, and he is to be congratulated on coming up with a unique and adventurous recording. Maybe the next collaboration with O'Reilly will see them come together in the same studio and produce something truly stunning.

James McKenzie