Burgers Frown - Fergus Brown

[Juicy Turnip: 2009]

There’s something deliciously warm and fuzzy about discovering a special singer-songwriting treasure. Fergus Brown kind of gives us that tender feeling inside. His debut record ‘Burgers Frown’ (we do love a spoonerism) is a collection of sweet acoustic pop ditties full of clever lyrics (with songs like “Cecelia Later” and lovely album opener “Nerds In Love” showing off his obvious knack and appreciation for words). Single, “Hot Kisses, Cold Tiles” - one of Album of The Week’s favourite tracks in the year of new music - is infectious, jump-on-your-bed pop joy – “hot kisses, lying down on the cold, cold tiles” – pretty sexy too once you actually take notice of the words. Fergus has one of those beautifully simple voices - really easy to listen to, with a nice understated soul vibe that sustains through each word and song on the album. Think Jens Lekman, The Whitest Boy Alive and Tunde Adembimpe from TV On The Radio. The record has a real DIY, genuinely “indie” production feel too – live hand claps, basic beatboxing, and (in the track “Little Verse” in particular) what sounds like one of those miniature pianos that are the perfect size for a spider monkey to play?
Album of The Week saw Fergus Brown perform at The Spectrum in Sydney on 23 October. He was joined by band members Holly - multi-instrumentalist/back up singer/beatboxer extraordinaire; Carlos Adura on drum kit – (moonlighting from his usual outfit Deep Sea Arcade, a band to watch out for); and the bass player whose name we’re unsure of, but my sister has a big crush on him. The tunes worked really well in the small venue and Mr Brown’s music definitely belongs in a more intimate club setting than an expansive arena. The tunes translated effortlessly from the record to the stage, and the band had an obvious connection that you could hear in the way they played and could tell from the comfortable interaction onstage. There seemed to be a real feeling of romance amongst the audience members too - which is probably a good way to describe Fergus Brown’s record: romantic. And sincere and also a little cheeky. The encore was a song whose lyrics were 70% made up by the word “vagina” sung in earnest chorus by everyone onstage. Fantastic. Lovers of offbeat acoustic pop music, get acquainted with Fergus Brown.

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