http://www.perthnow.com.au/fun-games/oh-mercys-album-great-barrier-grief/story-e6frg473-1226007783725
This second album from acclaimed Melbourne band Oh Mercy promises to be one of 2011’s most exciting releases. Enter now to win one of 20 copies.Eleven tracks of evocative acoustic pop, Great Barrier Grief was inspired by the Australian ‘sound’, and our way of life: the classic songs and songwriters who’ve soundtracked our lives. Timeless in feel, Great Barrier Grief is a confident, purposeful album.
When Oh Mercy completed their much admired debut, 2009’s Privileged Woes – Alexander knew he wanted to use a fuller instrumentation to bring his new tales of “young, middle-class white boys” to life. More than 18 months touring Privileged Woes (which also was nominated for a J Award for Album of the Year) saw the band play almost 200 shows, criss-crossing 100,000 kilometres of road, including a stint touring alongside national icons Crowded House.
Having previously laboured intensively in a room the size of a single bed, to set up for their next effort Oh Mercy headed to the USA in early 2010, to perform at Austin, Texas’s coveted music industry festival, South by Southwest (SXSW). Eventually, with 30 songs under Gow’s arm the album was ready to take final form. Enter one of America’s most respected producers, suggested to the band by a mutual friend: Mitchell Froom.
Having recorded albums with the likes of Pearl Jam, Elvis Costello and Sheryl Crow – not to mention recording Crowded House’s seminal self-titled debut – Froom was the perfect choice to help guide Oh Mercy in their next endeavour. Gow decamped to sunny Santa Monica, working out of Froom’s home studio and whittling the 30 tracks down to a final 12.
The Grammy-nominated Froom lent his own considerable keys and piano skills to the recording, playing on tracks ‘Mercy Valley’, ‘Tenderness’, ‘Confessions’ and ‘Doldrums’. Listen carefully and you’ll also hear a delicately placed flugelhorn in ‘Let Me Go’, plus that rosewood marimba on ‘Stay, Please Stay’.
Six weeks later, Great Barrier Grief was complete. Two tracks from the record, ‘Keith St’ and ‘Stay, Please Stay’, will already be familiar to triple j listeners. Inspired by the sort of classic Australian albums which shape our history, Great Barrier Grief marks a whole new horizon for Oh Mercy.
Enter now and sign-up to the PerthNow newsletter for your chance to win one of 20 copies of Oh Mercy's album 'Great Barrier Grief' on CD.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS1. Entry and other instructions contained within this promotion form part of these terms and conditions. By participating in this promotion entrants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
2. Employees, directors, officers, management and immediate families of Nationwide News, and the associated company providing the prize are ineligible to enter. Immediate family is deemed to be siblings, parents, children, and family living under the same roof.
3. Entry is open only to residents of WA.
4. Competition commences on Friday 18 February 2011 at 12.00 noon (AWST) and closes Friday 25 February 2011 at 12.00 noon (AWST). Entries must be received before the closing time and date.
5. How to enter: To enter, readers must logon to
www.perthnow.com.au during the promotional period and enter their details and register for the PerthNow newsletter. Only one entry per person per email address allowed. Any entrant found entering more than once will be disqualified. Winners will be contacted by mail.
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7. Prizes or any unused portion of a prize are not transferable or redeemable for cash. Tickets are strictly non-transferrable.
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The Promoter is The Sunday Times – A division of Nationwide News Pty Ltd (ACN 008 438 828).
