Do you ever find an album that fits with a very specific moment or situation? Well, Courtney Barnett’s and Kurt Viles new collaborative album, “Lotta Sea Lice,” is the embodiment of a Sunday morning sunrise with a cup of coffee in hand. It’s undeniably charming at every turn; from its quirky lyricism to its jangly guitars, it just radiates chemistry. Not the kind of chemistry you’d think from a duo-you won’t find any love centered themes here-just an obvious longtime friendship that runs throughout the record.
Opening track, “Over Everything,” kicks off the record with Courtney and Kurt trading lines in a sort of call and response. They trade silly quips about listening to music too loud and struggling to write tunes. It’s an extremely fun track to listen to, and as Courtney and Kurt present mundane topics like playing the guitar and crumpling your headphones into your pocket in an amusing manner, it’s irresistible not to enjoy. The song breaks down in a guitar groove towards the end as the pair jam off into the sunset. “Over Everything “was originally a track written by Kurt in hopes of someday getting to partner with Courtney, and it’s a good thing that it came to fruition, as it stands as the start of a fantastic partnership.
Much of the same can be said about the rest of the original songs on “Lotta Sea Lice”. “Continental Breakfast” once again displays the friendship between the two as they sing, “I cherish my intercontinental breakfast / We talk it over intercontinental breakfast.” The lyrics on the tune describe the struggles of keeping up a friendship overseas, a friendship Kurt and Courtney know all too much about. The very warm guitar tones make the track feel akin to a warm blanket on a cold winter day.
Speaking of guitar, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention just how impressive the guitar production is on the record. Every song puts the guitar at the forefront as arpeggios and guitar riffs come through as cool and crisp as possible. You really feel the music through these guitar jams, and they fit perfectly with the wholesome tone that Courtney and Kurt are beating you over the head with for the duration of the record.
Half of the track list is made up of covers in which Kurt takes on one of Courtney’s previously released tracks and vice versa. Their respective takes of “Outta the Woodwork” and “Blue Cheese” breathe new life into two already fantastic tracks. Courtney also tackles one of her wife’s songs, “Fear Is Like a Forest,” and she does it with such electrifying energy, as the guitar undertones hum beneath her confident vocal delivery.
The closing track, “Untogether” sees the pair singing in harmony words of uncertainty. It’s a melodramatic finish but it is still consistent with the themes and feel of the record. Courtney and Kurt are a pair made in heaven, as the two blend seamlessly to make a cohesive and relaxing album that is as easy to enjoy as it is to pick apart. While it doesn’t do much in the way of reinventing the wheel, it makes up for it in an overwhelming sense of charm, direction and comfort.
Score: 8/10
