Possible Humans - Everybody Split
Comments: Boring Jangle Pop that wishes it was a Flying Nun band from 40 years ago.

Artist: Possible Humans
Rating: MEH
Genres: Indie RockJangle Pop
Released: 2019
Type: Album
Label: Hobbies Galore
Link: Bandcamp

The debut album from Melbourne, Australia quintet Possible Humans has been a long-time coming. Since forming in 2012, the band (comprised of Samuel Tapper, Leon Cranswick, and the three Hewitt brothers; Steven, Adam, and Mark) have self-released a "live improv" cassette & a two-song 7-inch on Sydney's Strange Pursuits label while periodically teasing a forthcoming full-length and burning up live venues across Australia. Everybody Split was announced to arrive on April Fool's Day of 2019 on ex-Twerps drummer Alex MacFarlane's (very excellent) Hobbies Galore label. Thankfully, it wasn't a prank & the edition of 200 LPs sold out in a flash. Trouble In Mind is proud to re-release Everybody Split worldwide in a more substantial pressing in hopes of getting this amazing album into everyone's ears....

All five members shared songwriting duties on Everybody Split, & the album's nine tracks jangle and clang with that urgent, nervous energy felt in some of the best DIY/underground rock from the past three decades, R.E.M., Guided By Voices, Feelies et al, but also absolutely of the NOW, swooning with a smoothed, amber patina of melancholy and longing (see opener "Lung of the City", or "Nomenclature Airspace"). There's a palpable crackle emanating from the tunes on Everybody Split, throwing sparks thru a myriad of interesting melodic/lyrical twists & turns, like the earworm riffage on "The Thumps", that hotwire solo on "Aspiring To Be A Bloke" or the stutter stops / breakdown in the raging "Stinger". Stick around for "Born Stoned", the album's undeniable highlight, packing its near-12 minutes with nods not only to the aforementioned R.E.M. & Feelies dark jangle, but also the smoke & velvet solos of Heyday-era Church or Blue Oyster Cult. Yes, it's really that good. Everybody Split was recorded by MacFarlane himself & mastered by Oz-legend Mikey Young for maximum oomph.

released August 2, 2019

Editions:
2019 Original Release
Hobbies Galore | HG-018 | CD/Digital/Vinyl
  01. Lung of the City (3:58)
  02. Aspiring to be a Bloke (3:26)
  03. The Thumps (4:34)
  04. Absent Swimmer (4:26)
  05. Nomenclature Airspace (2:02)
  06. Orbiting Luigi (2:41)
  07. Stinger (3:54)
  08. Born Stoned (11:46)
  09. Meredith (5:07)