Decomposing Trees

I never had the opportunity to see The Triffids live but when I listen to their albums such as the classic Born Sandy Devotional, it evokes the empty, sparseness of the Australian landscape. There's a haunting ambiance to it and it's no surprise that it's been a frequent listen while doing the drive from Canberra to Sydney.

Maybe it's because their music evokes a familiar landscape that I think of the Triffids' music as distinctly Australian. It's like how You Am I's Hourly, Daily reminds me of the inner west in Sydney whenever I listen to it. The same can be said about associating Lou Reed and LCD Soundsystem with New York and Arcade Fire about Montreal. It's less about the music per se and more about the underlying meaning that someone can attach to it.

I do have to say that I'm a bit surprised that the Go-Betweens aren't also being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame this time around along with the Triffids. This isn't to detract from the Triffids but to do with the recent passing of Grant McLennan and the widespread recognition of The Go-Betweens.

However, with anything, especially music, it's all very subjective. In my mind, there are many more Australian acts that deserve recognition such as the Sunnyboys, The Scientists, Dead Can Dance to name but a few. Maybe one day they'll receive more widespread recognition, maybe not.

Either way, the Triffids deserve the wider recognition they are starting to get and let's hope that many more people will get to know their fine music.

The Triffids - Wide Open Road (acoustic)
Listen to the Triffids mini J-File