“Kramies Windt is on to something here. The songwriter’s debut five-track EP for Hidden Shoal marries wafting synth textures and an acoustic guitar bedrock to well-honed direct songcraft, making every cut a keeper.  Kramies’ efforts (aided by longtime collaborators Dave Paolucci and producer Todd Tobias) are best realized on the title track, where his journey to stirring-anthem Valhalla finds his voice first recalling Tim Booth of James before ascending to full-on Bono territory.  Elsewhere, the chilly expanse of “Coal Miners Executive Club” and its comforting refrain of “We can pace ourselves” swirl inside the head, and “Antiquarian Days” evokes John Lennon at his most reflective. Unlike some more well-known peddlers of similar aesthetic pedigree (Coldplay, I’m looking at you), Mr. Windt’s grand sweeping gestures are never empty, and his hooks are never cheap. It’s no wonder that with each subsequent listen, I find myself enjoying The European more and more.”

PopMatters

“Lot of fine beards in this strapping Perth band. Taken from their debut album Now We’re Active, Supply Chins is a swinging, shimmering sing-along indie track with a slow blowing explosion of a chorus. It is big and beautiful, optimistic and ambitious, bursting with horns and swinging guitars and a melody that floods your head with light.”

Beat

Excerpt: “‘Green Light District’ kicks it all off with jangly but epic sweeping guitars-guitars that suddenly take off with abrasive but melodic washes, especially toward the end the vocals soar ala Wings-era McCartney. On “Supply Chins”, the now moody, distorted guitars rub against regretful but dreamy vocals-a psych pop masterpiece. Likewise, “Jewellery Can Be Disturbing” features brash guitars and fragile vocals. From the brilliant pop of “Streamers” to the noisy, memorable Milking a Thistle,” Umpire display a dizzying command of pop and rock melody, with slightly abstract lyrics that add to the depth of these seemingly simple tracks. The closer, “Cyclones Into Sunshowers, is a gorgeous and poetic song that is always grounded such that it never threatens to devolve into pathos. This debut by Umpire is mature, catchy and crunchy, with a poise and sense of the dramatic lacking in bands who have been around for years. “Now We’re Active” is a truly active record, by a band that has hit the ground running with a surge of insight and power.”

Music Emissions

Excerpt: ….It’s the perfect marriage of Sullivan’s 80’s era Ambient meet Hazeldine neo classical minimal ambient. To top it off it’s mastered by Wil Bolton (Hibernate records artists and the owner of the fine “Time Lapse” album) and comes in a limited edition of 100 copies that are letter pressed on 700gm GF Smith board designed by Ian himself. The release is/was a pre-order available from the Hidden Shoal store with 60 copies being there and the remaining 40 going to Norman Records and Stashed Goods. 2011 has been a very productive year for Antonymes, this being the third release on Hidden Shoal (the others being “The Licence to Interpret Dreams” album and the companion piece “Lost in waves of Light”) as well as the release on Time Released Sound and the quality has been there through all the releases. Quite an achievement.”

TwiceRemoved