An artist with an open mind will always find new ways to express themselves. Steve Kilbey, best known as the enigmatic frontman of The Church, does just that with his band The Winged Heels on new record The Road To Tibooburra. This isn’t just an album; it’s a musical about a washed-up and aging rockstar called Lord Jim who takes a strange crew off to Tibooburra searching for his comeback. (possibly autobiographical???)
What began as a Covid project was never quite finished. After sitting in the can for some time, Steve Kilbey decided to release this weird collection of tunes. They are in no particular order so the listener is challenged to figure it all out for themself, or just make up their own story and sit back and enjoy.
The sprawling and evocative tapestry unfolds gradually, revealing its layers of beauty and intrigue with each listen. As we open with “Adrift” a chugging beat welcomes us in to start the journey with Steve Kilbey although we do not truly know where he will take us.
There’s a blend of rock, folk, americana, and even psychedelia here, creating a sound that’s both expansive and intimate. “Desert Ship” creeps along with layers of sound providing plenty to focus on as Kilbey’s voice guides the listener through this musical landscape. Pictures will start to form in your mind as the album comes to life in a truly surrealistic way.
Enjoy the Highway with Steve Kilbey
The pace picks up on “Silver City Highway” with a more straight ahead rock energy. Propulsive rhythms and shimmering guitars that evoke the feeling of endless highways stretching across the desert. But the band keeps moving forward with no end in sight. We get breaks in the road with tracks like “Lisa’s Song” and “Doc Holiday” bringing a campfire vibe to the journey, although with the latter there may have been some hallucinogenics ingested to enjoy the trip.
Another highlight is “Too Late To Die Young,” a bluesy rock tune with plenty of energy. There is a classic rock vibe with an authentic rawness that brings back memories. Lyrics like ‘rock n roll is stupid but it’s fun’ gives us an idea of where Steve Kilbey’s head is at.
The Road To Tibooburra is a captivating and immersive album that showcases Steve Kilbey’s enduring artistic vision and the considerable talents of his band The Winged Heels. It has a cinematic quality, evoking a sense of journey and discovery. A surreal and poetic exploration of landscape, memory, and the human condition. This is an album for those who appreciate music that is both challenging and rewarding, and who are willing to lose themselves in a sonic tapestry.
