The Great & The Terrible is out now!
Image: Supplied.
Meanjin/Brisbane-based indie-rockers, Cedarsmoke have unveiled their sophomore album, The Great & The Terrible. To celebrate the release, frontman Jon Cloumassis has shared with MILKY five albums that inspired them whilst crafting the record.
"The Great & The Terrible is an exploration of change in all its forms and manifestations. Inspired by the mythical journey of 'The Wizard of Oz', the album captures the essence of characters in flux, accompanied by a select orchestra of instruments and tones reminiscent of 1970s folk-rock."
BLONDE ON BLONDE – BOB DYLAN
One of Dylan’s many masterpieces, Blonde On Blonde was a major influence on this album. Its folk-rock ensemble of instruments like piano, organ, harmonica, and acoustic guitar particularly on songs like ‘Visions of Johanna’ & ‘One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)’, was something I leaned on when arranging these tracks. I was also inspired by the outlandish length of the songs and album overall. When I set out to make this album, I wanted to take the Dylanesque approach of making no compromises in those regards.
BORN TO RUN – BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
I watched a doco on the making of Born To Run while I was in the middle of writing the songs and it made a deep impression in me. I love how the music is virtuosic and grandiose in parts and simple and catchy in others. I really tried to make the album have both of those elements, so that it could feel diverse musically and feel like a journey.
THE STAGE NAMES – OKKERVIL RIVER
This is a more, modern blend of folk and rock and is another perfect album to me. The lyrics are indelible and the cinematic theme that is threaded throughout gives it such a strong feeling. Although I wouldn’t call The Great & The Terrible a concept album, it definitely has themes and lyrical motifs that are threaded throughout. This is something I always appreciate in an album and Okkervil River are one of the best at it in my opinion.
I’M WIDE AWAKE IT’S MORNING – BRIGHT EYES
This throwback folk album has always been one of my favourites. The stripped-back nature and dedication to traditional instruments was definitely something I tried to emulate on this album. After previously making an intentionally eclectic album, I wanted to do the opposite on this one and make something that was very cohesive in the way that I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning is.
THE KING IS DEAD – THE DECEMBERISTS
Folk music never gets old to me, but I always appreciate when artists make traditional songs in a new way. The Kind Is Dead is a modern folk classic that has consistently been in my listening rotation since it was released in 2011. Songs like Rise To Me and June Hymn really inspired my songwriting on this album as well as some of my harmonica playing.
The Great & The Terrible is out now!