Along with The Drones, The Panics are arguably one of the most important bands in Australia. As such, any release from the band is set to be subject to immense scrutiny. As fans we are hyper critical because we WANT them to succeed – as much as they or their record company do. As such, it’s thrilling to report that Rain On The Humming Wire is yet another triumph.
Opening with first single ‘Majesty’, the production work of Gil Norton on The Triffids’ 1986 masterpiece Born Sandy Devotional is immediately conjured up. Humming effects, foreboding timpani and a song that in its – ahem – majesty literally puts in to music the sight of heat rising off the bitumen on the Nullarbor Highway in the height of Summer. Many critics have noted that The Triffids’ ‘Wide Open Road’ did just that, but The Panics give their own take on it and thankfully the drums on this are real.
Lyrically, front man Jae Laffer veers in to dangerous territory with the song. Generally it has been said that you shouldn’t mix rock n’ roll and politics, mostly because creative types aren’t necessarily best placed to understand the intricacies of things such as the Republican debate in Australia, but the innocence of the lyrics lets him get away with it.
‘Low On Your Supply’ is a lament that gives hope in the chorus with the nagging and incredibly catchy line ‘I could use just a little more’ and ‘Creatures’ liberally borrows the bass line from Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Gypsy’, but it’s also striking and another hit . Over 10 years of playing in a band sees The Panics with this record make an assured statement – the band are comfortable with what they are doing and not trying to impress anyone but themselves – and as such we reap the rewards.
– Jim Murray
