Karl Frog - Yes, Music LP

I am writing about ‘Yes, Music’, the first vinyl release for Canberra / Estonia / Sweden(?) / hope-he’s-not-actually-from-Brunswick songsmith Karl Frog, very prematurely. I’m on listen #2, and the enthusiasm I feel for this album will not let me focus today’s writing on anything else.

The mysterious Karl Frog has previously released two cassettes on the home of low-key important contemporary Australian music, Hideotic Tapes. Hideotic tapes is run by Al Montfort (Russell Street Bombings, Dick Diver, Total Control) and in our store the label has a long history of delivering music by unknowns, which gather a very intimate and curious response from our audience, eventually becoming cult favourites with huge sales in the double digits.

Every Hideotic and/or Karl Frog sale has felt like a win for music.

While their identity is hidden, their warm personality and modest but sophisticated songwriting sensibilities shine bright like a diamond. The lore KF spins is that of a hobbyist with normal person jobs, which in this day and age is where good music lives. Maybe an assortment of menial / public sector jobs, mingling with the masses, is why there’s such a richness and lived depth within these tunes.

Far from dolewave strumalongs, I am hearing the ambitions of Prefab Sprout, John Cale and The Human League’s Dare minus the hair-doos. I think my enthusiasm is only going to grow with this one! - Nic