Straight Arrows from Sydney deserve to be remembered for their 2010 album It’s Happening, which I hope you’ve all heard. But if you, as I, have missed the fact that they released two singles prior to that (in 2007-2008), then the new 7″ on Anti Fade is most welcome news. It compiles those four tracks, the original releases of which are sold out. The sound here is even more classic garage than on their Rice Is Nice LP. The opening barrage of “Can’t Count 1-22” makes me think of The Wailers’ “Out of Our Tree” but recorded on a dictaphone. “Something Happens” became one the centerpieces on their LP in a newer cleaned-up version. The band waste no time on “Jeepster” and “Close That Door” either, which are their most punk recordings (perhaps not surprising considering they’re from a split with The Creteens).
But Straight Arrows aren’t just retrospectively on the cards, they are believe it or not back, with a new single on Goodbye Boozy. As usual with the Italian label, these come in three different covers limited to 100 copies each. “All the Time” is a real pounder of an a-side, and you can hear it in the latest podcast (here, or check 2 posts down). Both sides are on soundcloud, here below is the flip which is a bit less psych and more punk, with crashing cymbals throughout.
