Sierra Leone’s Hello To Your Mind starts out with ‘Baby Cakes’ and it’s a bit like the Eagles Of Death Metal struttin their thing with J-Devil doing the “OWWW”. The vibe is raw and gutsy ’70s guitar, it reeled me straight in. On the other hand it also seems strangely like something that that Yo Gabba Gabba would release after a breakdown, but that’s cool too.
‘Twisted’ leaves me thinking of some ’80s guitar garage band in a swamp filled blues haze fronted by Beck with a sore throat. It suits the lyrics perfectly. You have to listen deeper than what slithers on the surface, the songs are well put together and the playing is brilliant. Guitarist Wayne Connolly must be one of Melbourne’s most underrated song writing and playing talents. Although his vocals wouldn’t make The Voice final rounds though that’s one of the things that draw you into the bands charm. Its three guys playing music because they love it.
Richard Sargeant’s bass is at times simple yet so perfectly delivered and says everything it needs to. It underlies each track with perfection and this all atop of Mark Sibson’s drumming. Sibson also plays with Melbourne psych rockers Seedy Jeezus and his raw style is reminiscent of Cream and the Hendrix Experience.
Sierra Leone’s style is somewhat reminiscent of those Aussie underground punk influenced bands from the ’80s. They had some things in common yet no one was quite like the other. Each band had their own sound enough for all to stand out and kick arse. Sierra Leone are perhaps so far ahead of their time that they sound like they’re straight from the past. Insert the Back To The Future theme music here.
‘Litigation Blues’ summons up some Zappa-esque styling and flows beautifully throughout crazy and natural story telling with ease and with enough familiarity to keep you drawn in but enough originality that you’ve never quite heard it before.
‘Bad Karma Eaters’ starts out like Syd Barrett has taken over and then kicks into a Sick Of It All ’90s rough ‘n’ punk style frenzy. This album for me really has it all and it came completely from left field and belted me across the face.
What I think I dig the most about Sierra Leone is that they don’t give a shit about anyone and what they think and just 110% do their own thing and it translates in their sound. No bullshit, just straight up raw energy, attitude and kick arse music.
I dig how ‘Different Species’ has the ‘hiccups’ at the beginning left in. It adds to the natural sound and makes you feel like you are a part of the process itself. It sounds at times like it’s off Sgt Peppers. “We’re a different species you and I but I think I like that” and that pretty much sums up how I feel about Sierra Leone, although I think we may be a little too similar in the crazy stakes than any one of us would like to admit.
‘China’ takes me back to listening to bands like Lime Spiders, The Godfathers and Massappeal; again, it’s the raw appeal that pulls you in.
One thing to be wary of is the photo on the back of the album. It is perfect in a weird ’70s porn meets new age fashion shoot kind of way though I think I’ve been scarred for life.
Sierra Leone’s Hello To Your Mind is perhaps one of the greatest albums I’ve heard in ages. It’s raw and pure with enough inspired genius vs total crazy to make it perfect.
Available now through their website.
Sierra Leone are:
Wayne Connolly –Guitar, Vocals
Richard Sargeant – Bass
Mark Sibson – Drums, Vocals
