Alexander Gow is gearing up to release When We Talk About Love, the fourth studio album from iconic Aussie songwriting outfit Oh Mercy.
Out this Friday the 19th of June, When We Talk About Love was recorded at the iconic Grove Studios on the NSW Central Coast and produced by Scott Horscroft (Silverchair, Birds Of Tokyo, The Presets, Sleepy Jackson).
Being described as Oh Mercy’s most personal body of work to date, Gow says about the forthcoming LP “When We Talk About Love is a personal record. The lyrics are personal. The music leaped out of me. Its genetics are the sum of my musical loves. Bacharach, Cohen, The Triffids. Grand, proud and not self-conscious. I accessed all that I’ve learnt, all that I know, or think I know, and importantly, all that I love, to create this record.”
To celebrate it release (out Friday 19th via EMI) Gow has given us some insight in to the records that have continued to inspire him. Check them out below.
The Triffids – Born Sandy Devotional
1989, Mushroom
“When I was 20. My friends from The Panic’s introduced me to it.
It’s influential to me in that it’s so impressive. A real work of art. I’ve always thought if I could make an album half as good I would be satisfied. It’s beautiful, expansive and etherial. Also, it can be funny and menacing too. The words are great. The arrangements are great. The band are unique and expressive. So are the instruments they use.”
The Go-Betweens – Liberty Belle & The Black Diamond Express
1986, Beggars Banquet Records
“When I was 16. I read something about them in the paper. I think they had just put their Bright Yellow Bright Orange album out. I bought a bunch of their albums, I was working at JB HI FI at the time. Liberty Belle was my favourite. Still is.
It’s got a weird overall sound that I like. A bizzare mix of incredible songwriting and 80’s mixing techniques. It doesn’t sound clear. It doesn’t even sound LO FI in a pleasing Motown kind way. Just weird. But beautiful. Twin Layers Of Lightning is my favourite song. Check out the piano playing. Shit the bed!”
Bob Dylan – Highway 61 Revisited
1965, Columbia
“When I was 15. I read a biography of Bob Dylan. I didn’t own any of his music at that point. But I had started writing songs. I heard a lot about him. So I bought the book. Then I bought the albums.
Bob Dylan. He’s probably the greatest song writer of all time. I try to write good songs. So i listen to his music as closey as I can. This album is malcious and angry. THere’s some romantic moments on it too. Plus it has the hit on it too. Mostly, I find it funny.”
John Cale – Paris 1919
1973, Reprise
“My mate Myles gave me John Cale’s Fear. I loved it. Got my hands on Paris 1919. shortly after. Was probably 20 years old.
This album made me think of Nick Cave’s piano songs. Ballads maybe. But I like John Cale’s even more. The string arrangements are simple and beautiful. Much less complex than the baroque pop ballad arrangements of the mid and late 60’s. Check out The Endless Plain Of Fortune. Mournful and beautiful. Makes we wonder if the folk songs of Cale’s Welsh upbringing crept into his writing. Arguably this album has the most to do with my new album than the others on this list. Songs written and performed on the acoustic guitar backed with simple bass and drums and a simple string arrangement. With some reverb.”
Leonard Cohen – Death Of A Ladies Man
1977, Warner Bros.
“I got into earlier Leonard Cohen albums when I was 16 or so. Came by this one when I was 20 or so.
This is album is cool as hell. Phil Spector production and Leonard Cohen at his lyrical best. Apparently Leonard Cohen doesn’t love it, I think he hates it. Apparently the vocal takes on the album are his guide vocals. Meaning he recorded them early in the session as a guide, so the rest of the music could be orchestrated around the vocals, intending to record the final vocals latter.
When it came to delete the guides and re-record apparently Phil Spector pointed a loaded crossbow at him. He must have really loved those guide vocals. It’s an emotive album. The vocal performances are impassioned and sometimes wild. The album cover is cool as hell too.”
Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood – Nancy & Lee
1968, Reprise
” Lee Hazlewood’s production and arrangements are spellbinding. Very compelling stuff. Sometimes pretty punk too. His voice, one of my all time favourites, married with another one of the great voices, Nancy Sinatra, is a match I’m grateful for.
I listen to this album regularly. As well as Hazlewoods ‘The Very Special World Of Lee Hazlewood’ album. Some Velvet Morning? Fuck the bed! Call it off! Fetch me one last latte and a coffin. Holy moley!”
Augie March – Moo You Bloody Choir
2006, Sony BMG
“I was a big fan of their first two albums. I’d seen them live several times prior to the release, I knew lots of the songs pretty good before it came out.
It’s influenced me in the same way the others have. Beautiful and clever song writing married with beautiful and clever music. Glenn Richards writes in 6/8 a lot. I should try that out. My favourite songs on the album are Victoria’s Secrets and Mt. Wellington Reverie.”
