I would like to be bold enough to ask Family Cactus' debut album Come Howling out on a date.
Perhaps instead I could quietly mumble and stumble my way into asking if it was planning on going to a show over the weekend and say 'Oh, neat, might see you there then.' I'd look forward to the show all week and then accidentally run into the album early in the night and talk to it until well after the bands have finished playing. When the conversation begins to ease off in the wee hours as my blinks steadily became longer and slower I'd say 'Goodness me, I'm tired... time for bed. It was great to see you.' And then I'd regret walking away and using the word 'great' instead of 'I love you'.
Family Cactus certainly are an exceptionally talented group. The Wellington seven-piece includes members of such illustrious local outfits as The Brunettes, The Nudie Suits, The Accelerants, Grand Prix, The Cosbys and more. While the album alone is a treat, they go on to offer beautiful accompanying artwork, photoshoots and a wonderful video for the single 'Kingmaker'.
Come Howling's ten-track blues drenched country - with trumpets - has so far proven to comfortably stand where Fleet Foxes were in my eyes during 2008.
This album seems fitting whether it be your soundtrack to woozy walks home from shows in town, brooding trips to work, nodding and bouncing around your lounge making lunch, or in the car with your gran.
Here’s hoping they team up with Wilco too.
