Carnival Mind aren’t here to abide by even the slightest bit of convention. They’re brand of minimal acoustic driven indie rock places a raw sincerity above all else. The Aussie rockers might just be one of the most underrated outfits in rock today, coming up with hooks and verses that wouldn’t sound out of place in the heyday of rock and roll in the late 70s. They opt for length, with their tracks comfortably crossing the normal three minute runtime of an agreeable rock record. On ‘Easy to Run’, Carnival Mind once again rejoice in a simple song structure with a melodic and straightforward chord progression alongside a verse that sounds akin to something you’ve heard in the past. The hook is an instant highlight. ‘I’m tired of religions that are demons in disguise’.
As the electric solo hits in the songs final minute and the verses die down, the outro allows you time to yourself, to introspect on the lyrics and angst that the group bring to life on the track. I can’t quite pin them down, can’t quite categorise them into a particular style or mood. All I know is that Carnival Mind is undoubtedly sincere, avowedly unapologetic, and remarkably talented.
But my personal favourite tune by the group is definitely their latest — ‘Shots’. At a whopping seven minutes long with little variation in song structure or any boastful progressive elements to speak of, you might think that Shots would be a drone to listen to. Somehow though, it manages to keep you not just hooked, but entirely engrossed in its story throughout its runtime. It’s such a fundamental piece of song-writing, one that makes me believe that at the core of the craft, melody and lyrics rain supreme over any other facet. As they sing, ‘Having shots with the boys, at the King’s Cross Hotel’, you can’t help but be reeled into their story and feel your repressed nostalgia come to the forefront of your memory.
I’d dare to say that Carnival Mind are embodying the greats, that of CSNY, Bob Dylan, and more. They’re harmonies, melodies, and minimalism is what raw and unfiltered song-writing is special for. And, for that reason and my personal connection with the beliefs and emotions they espouse, it is a special one.