The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas

My husband found Courtney Barnett a few months ago on an internet radio. My wonderful husband doesn't always have the best taste in music so I resisted his efforts to listen to this album for several weeks. Finally I broke down and added it to my iTunes library. Holy crap, I feel bad that I didn't listen earlier. This album is wise beyond it's years, the lyrics are interesting, funny and heartfelt. The music is simple with lots of depth and very strong. It is the perfect anti-folk, indie type of album. Her singing and deadpan delivery reminds you of Bob Dylan, but her Australian accent takes it to the next level, oh her accent is just wonderful. There is so much variety to this album. I love all the songs, my personal favorites are Avant Gardener, History Eraser, Out of the Woodwork, Scotty Says and Ode to Odetta. The lyric from History Eraser "in my brain I rearrange the letters on the page to spell your name" captures the mind of a young women with a crush so wonderfully. So for my husband's birthday I got this album on vinyl. The album sounds fantastic and the packaging is great. I have nothing negative to say here, Courtney Barnett is my favorite musical discovery I have made in years. This is a instant buy for any music fan.

Ms Barnett released this double EP in a reverse chronological order putting her most recent EP, How To Carve A Carrot Into A Rose, first. A wise choice given that her best songs are from that EP--all those songs are great,the songs Out of The Woodwork and Avant Gardener (multileveled play on words) are real standouts. Although the second half of this CD (the EP I've Got A New Friend..) does not stick in my mind like the first it is still quite good and is growing on me with every new spin.In my humble opine 4 1/2 star average for the whole CD. Courtney's voice reminds me of Cheri Knight's, not an instrument of striking beauty but like most of my favorite artists the songs are more important than the "beauty" of singer's vocal delivery. She can spit out a bunch of words not unlike Michael Stipe in the prime of REM with wit and panache. The instrumentation sounds (at least on the first half) like some of the alt-rock bands from the 80s-- Replacements at their loosest perhaps--sounds like they are having a blast and the "fun" is contagious. Along with Jake Bugg, Valerie June and The Deep Dark Woods this is one of my favorite discoveries of 2013. Great fun, buy this!

Nice album by Australia's new artist. She also has a hot band and plays the guitar too. Avant Gardener is the standout, a special thrill to all the hypochondriacs out there. A little bit like Patti Smith in her prime with a little Dar Williams and Fiona Appel. Lyrics are stream of conscious at times and music is modern but also a little reminiscent of groups like the Velvet Underground. Another good track is History Eraser. I sort of miss albums with liner notes, but you can find the lyrics on the web.

I first came across Courtney Barnett, as I'm sure many have, searching music on youtube. The song Avant Gardener is the perfect entry to her music and talent, catchy and with the lyrics and musicianship that immediately leave you craving more. Follow that song and video up with History Eraser and you'll be head over heels in love. Her band is equally skilled and versatile and while she considers the double EP release "practice" for a full-fledged album, I think you'll agree that this collection of songs points to greatness and puts what passes for popular music in our jaded world to shame.

Yeah, there's a lot of hype behind her, and you can pigeon hole it as typical slacker indie rock, but good lord, this is GOOD music. It rocks, the lyrics are clever, and idiosyncratic, the Melbourne accent is only charming, and for chrissake, she can play guitar. And if you want raw versions of these songs that really ROCK, go find the live show she did for KEXP radio that they have up on Youtube. I don't know why they call it a "double EP". It has 12 songs. It's an album by another name.

Courtney Melba, you've exceeded my expectations with this. I didn't skip a song once, in fact, all were on repeat several times. This album has great lyrics,and unique sound. I love a broad spectrum of music, and I don't have any label for Courtney Barnett/Courtney Melba as an artist, other than AWESOME and she's distinct in the music world. I can't wait to see her live in the Midwest, USA. :D Thanks for the breath of fresh air, I needed this album in my life.

Heard a few cuts on a local college radio station (WWUH) and called the dj right away to find out who this was. The songs have a great groove and the lyrics are clever. I turned my 16 year old son on the her and she is spreading through his high school - especially through the art crowd. It's a shame that musicians such as Courtney cannot get airplay on commercial radio. Highly recommended if your tastes have wide guard rails....J

I heard of Courtney on NPR and there was some mention of her enjoyment of the band Nirvana, who I like, and after a listen, she has become a staple of my music listening. I played tracks off Spotify until I finally bought the downloadable album off Amazon. Totally worth it. Love this album. She has fun funky lyrics and a great voice and sound. I can't wait to hear more of this talent!

2019年にコートニーバーネットの来日が決まり、セットリストを見たら、ここから演奏してるので、軽い気持ちで買ってみたら、これがまた素晴らしい。 彼女は最初から天才でした。 今のグランジを奏でる女の子ブームを引き立てたのはまさにコートニーバーネットであり、彼女以上の才能はそういないことがわかる最初の作品。

Great new indie music is a rarity these days, especially that which is released to the masses (there are loads of brilliant unsigned artists to be found all over the internet). I only recently read about Courtney in the NME and checked her out on YouTube. Had to buy this CD immediately and will get her latest release when I get paid next. She is both lyrically and musically refreshing and her influences are not hard to spot. If you like Nirvana, The Dandy Warhols, Husker Du, The Breeders and REM then check this double EP out. Not sure if she listens to Graham Coxon of Blur but there are many similarities here also. Brilliant. Can't wait for her next UK tour....

Novedoso y fresco. Un alivio sobre panorama. Esperemos mas trabajo en breve, la musica lo necesita ante esta desidia, amen.

Courtney Barnett is a songwriter of the highest order. Her lyrics make the mundane interesting and beautiful. Love this album.

Excepcional! Sangue novo. Muito gratificante descobrir coisas novas e fantásticas no rock'n roll. Posso ouvir esse álbum dezenas de vezes em me cansar.