It’s 4 years since the last High Llamas record but next month Drag City will fix all that by releasing their 10th titled ‘Talahomi Way’. I’ve always been intrigued by this band because on the face of it they display a clear Beach Boys infatuation but their sound is so tempered with distracting idiosyncrasies that the only song I’ve ever latched onto was ‘Checking In, Checking Out’ from way back in 1994. Sean O’Hagan, the band leader comes from from Cork and started out with Cathal Coughlan in Microdisney stopping off along with way to work with Stereolab amongst others. Which really is a big preamble to what we’re here for and that’s to talk about the promo tune from the newbie called ‘Fly Baby, Fly’ which is utterly dreamy. This sounds like a Beach Boys/Gilbert O’Sullivan love in and a what a virile union it turns out to be. The High Llamas once admitted they don’t make a living from their music but on this evidence that may be all about to change. KD
The High Llamas – Fly Baby, Fly
More Info: Official
Buy Songs: The High Llamas
Year: 2011
I didn’t know Sean O’Hagan was Irish, though I guess I should have guessed with that surname. This is really, really nice.