It’s only March and I’m already so far behind and have a dozen or so releases that I would like to feature on the blog. Sometimes I’m too lazy, sometimes I’m too busy and sometimes I’m just making art out of excuses. That doesn’t stop me from buying more and more music though and drag myself deeper into the hole. The always great UK-labels Fika Recordings & Wiaiwya Records co-released Bill Botting and The Two Drink Minimums album Better Friends on the 10th of March. I had been waiting for this one for a couple of months, because I really enjoyed the first outtakes from the album. Therefore I downloaded it on the release day and the album turned out to be just as wonderful as I had hoped.
I can’t say that I’m very familiar with Bill’s musical adventures before Better Friends. He was the bass player in an awesome pop group called Allo Darlin’ and he is also one half Moustache Of Insanity that is criminally unknown to me. Actually I probably would have completely missed this gorgeous album, if it hadn’t been released on Fika / Wiaiwya. I fully trust their taste and check out everything they put out. Anyway, this Australian songwriter has put together a really lovely and instantly enjoyable debut album. Somehow it keeps me smiling even during the sadder moments of it. It’s a folk-tinged pop companion that will keep you warm during these last winter days. My early favorite is probably Burning Bridges. A great song and Bill Botting and Hannah Botting sing it together so beautifully. Better Friends is a gorgeous album.