CINXE.COM
Steve Abel and the Chrysalids: Flax Happy (Monkey/Rhythmethod) | Elsewhere by Graham Reid
<!doctype html> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:og="http://ogp.me/ns#" xmlns:fb="https://www.facebook.com/2008/fbml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> <!--[if IE]><![endif]--> <head> <title>Steve Abel and the Chrysalids: Flax Happy (Monkey/Rhythmethod) | Elsewhere by Graham Reid</title> <base href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/" /> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, minimum-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0" /> <meta name="description" content="Among the many unaddressed issues about the effectiveness of New Zealand Music Month is that of so many albums being released: they cancel each other out and some just won't get the attention they deserve. I sincerly hope that out of the mountain released -- around 50 albums in, or in time for, NZMM, which is just self-defeating -- that this languid, melancholy and lowkey outing doesn't slide... - Steve Abel and the Chrysalids: Flax Happy (Monkey/Rhythmethod) by Graham Reid" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/favicon.ico" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/1620/steve-abel-and-the-chrysalids-flax-happy-monkey-rhythmethod/" /> <meta property="fb:admins" content="761418583,1686872172"/> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="110078812420395"/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Elsewhere by Graham Reid"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/1620/steve-abel-and-the-chrysalids-flax-happy-monkey-rhythmethod/"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Steve Abel and the Chrysalids: Flax Happy (Monkey/Rhythmethod)"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/images/600x315/articles/46219D2C-E0C3-CE1E-A23F354573F52CF5.jpg"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Among the many unaddressed issues about the effectiveness of New Zealand Music Month is that of so many albums being released: they cancel each other out and some just won't get the attention they deserve. I sincerly hope that out of the mountain released -- around 50 albums in, or in time for, NZMM, which is just self-defeating -- that this languid, melancholy and lowkey outing doesn't slide"/> <meta property="og:country-name" content="New Zealand"/> <meta name="twitter:card" value="summary" /> <meta name="twitter:url" value="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/1620/steve-abel-and-the-chrysalids-flax-happy-monkey-rhythmethod/" /> <meta name="twitter:title" value="Steve Abel and the Chrysalids: Flax Happy (Monkey/Rhythmethod)" /> <meta name="twitter:description" value="Among the many unaddressed issues about the effectiveness of New Zealand Music Month is that of so many albums being released: they cancel each other out and some just won't get the attention they deserve. I sincerly hope that out of the mountain released -- around 50 albums in, or in time for, NZMM, which is just self-defeating -- that this languid, melancholy and lowkey outing doesn't slide" /> <meta name="twitter:image" value="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/images/600x315/articles/46219D2C-E0C3-CE1E-A23F354573F52CF5.jpg" /> <script>!function(){var e={kitId:"lgx7wxx",scriptTimeout:3e3},t=document.getElementsByTagName("html")[0];t.className+=" wf-loading";var a=setTimeout(function(){t.className=t.className.replace(/(\s|^)wf-loading(\s|$)/g," "),t.className+=" wf-inactive"},e.scriptTimeout),c=!1,s=document.createElement("script");s.src="https://use.typekit.net/"+e.kitId+".js",s.type="text/javascript",s.async="true",s.onload=s.onreadystatechange=function(){var t=this.readyState;if(!(c||t&&"complete"!=t&&"loaded"!=t)){c=!0,clearTimeout(a);try{Typekit.load(e)}catch(s){}}};var i=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];i.parentNode.insertBefore(s,i)}();</script> <script src="https://use.fontawesome.com/d449449ca1.js" defer></script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/css/styles_1516132581.css" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Music at Elsewhere" href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/rss/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="The Album Considered" href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/albumconsidered/rss/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Art by Elsewhere" href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/artebyelsewhere/rss/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Personal Elsewhere" href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/personal/rss/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Further Outwhere" href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/further/rss/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Hi-Fi Vinyl" href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/hifivinyl/rss/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="All Articles" href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/articles/rss/" /> <!--[if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/css/print.css" media="print" /> <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/g/html5shiv,respond"></script> <![endif]--> <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics --> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-797669-31"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'UA-797669-31'); </script> <meta property="og:audio" content="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/downloads/mp3s/15_Track05.mp3" /> <meta property="og:audio:title" content="Steve Abel and the Chrysalids: Cinders of the Sun (with Jolie Holland)" /> <meta property="og:audio:artist" content="" /> <meta property="og:audio:type" content="application/mp3" /> </head> <body class="defaulttemplate"> <div class="container-fluid"> <header class="no-print"> <div id="banner" class="hidden-xs hidden-sm"> <div id="bgimage"> <img src="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/images/1140x330/bannerimages/IMG_0043.jpg" alt="" title="Reflections in Norman Foster's "Gherkin" building, London." class="img-responsive" width="1140" height="330" /> <div class="carousel-caption"> <p>Reflections in Norman Foster's "Gherkin" building, London.</p> </div> </div> </div> </header> </div> <div class="container"> <header class="row"> <div id="logo"> <a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz" title="Elsewhere by Graham Reid" class="logo"></a> <h3>Wide angle reviews, interviews and opinion <br>on music, travel and the arts by writer Graham Reid</h3> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elsewhere-music-travel-arts/209177852448459" title="Find us on Facebook" target="_blank"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512" fill="#fff" style="height: 28px; width: 28px; vertical-align: -8px; margin-left: 8px;"><path d="M448 80v352c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48h-85.3V302.8h60.6l8.7-67.6h-69.3V192c0-19.6 5.4-32.9 33.5-32.9H384V98.7c-6.2-.8-27.4-2.7-52.2-2.7-51.6 0-87 31.5-87 89.4v49.9H184v67.6h60.9V480H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V80c0-26.5 21.5-48 48-48h352c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48z"/></svg></a> </div> <nav id="search" class="no-print"> <form class="search form" role="search" method="post" action="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/search/"> <input type="hidden" class="l" name="l" value="en" /> <label for="q" class="control-label sr-only">Search</label> <div class="input-group"> <input type="search" class="form-control input q" name="q" value="Search" /> <span class="input-group-btn"><button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary" name="submitbutton"></button></span> </div> </form> </nav> </header> </div> <div class="container"> <div id="content-wrap" class="row"> <nav id="menu" class="col-md-2 no-print"> <a id="page-menu-toggle" class="menu-toggle btn btn-default visible-xs visible-sm" href="#"><span class="fa fa-bars"></span></a> <div id="menu-mobile" class="sideslide hidden-md"> <a class="close menu-toggle">x</a> <ul> <li id="itemNo0" class="first " ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/" title="Music reviews, travel writing, the arts, interviews">Home<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo1" class="current " ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/" title="New albums reviewed, reissues assessed, and gems from the vaults">Music at Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo2" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/absoluteelsewhere/" title="Interviews, overviews and other views of Elsewhere music and musicians">Absolute Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo3" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/albumconsidered/" title="Unusual, over-looked and interesting albums considered">The Album Considered<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo4" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/favouritefive/" title="Five of the best albums from recent postings at Elsewhere">Favourite Five Recent Releases<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo5" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/absurdelsewhere/" title="Satire, parody, weak-minded wit and humour at Elsewhere">Absurd Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo6" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/weneedtotalkabout/" title="Strange, eccentric and sometimes mad people or unusual events in the music world.">WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT . . .<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo7" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/artebyelsewhere/" title="Art, collages and images by Graham Reid for Elsewhere">Art by Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo8" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/thefamouselsewherequestionnaire/" title="Questions asked and answered">The Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo9" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/personal/" title="Entries of little consequence to anyone other than the author of this site, family and those with too much time on their hands.">Personal Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo10" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/essentialelsewhere/" title="Cornerstone albums in any serious but Elsewhere collection">Essential Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo11" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/fromthevaults/" title="From the Vaults">From the Vaults<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo12" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/further/" title="Sounds beyond songs, ideas outside the obvious, possibiltiies far from pop">Further Outwhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo13" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/yasminbrown/" title="Elsewhere offers this occasional EP column by the informed Yasmin Brown">EPs by Yasmin Brown<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo14" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/othervoicesotherrooms/" title="Readers' opinions on a variety of subjects">Other Voices, Other Rooms<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo15" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/mybackpages/" title="Stories behind Graham's encounters with famous, and famously awkward, musicians. Nice people and nasty ones.">My Back Pages<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo16" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/livereviews/" title="Live reviews by Graham Reid, photos by Garry Brandon">Live reviews + concert photos<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo17" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/bargainbuy/" title="Good value music CDs from JB Hi-Fi stores in New Zealand, and on amazon.com">The Bargain Buy<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo18" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/hifivinyl/" title="Elsewhere offers this section of new and reissued vinyl records">Hi-Fi Vinyl<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo19" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/jazz/" title="Jazz of all persuasions, interviews and overviews, classic and cutting-edge">Jazz at Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo20" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/blues/" title="Interviews, overviews and reviews of classic and contemporary blues musicians and music">Blues at Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo21" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/world-music/" title="Music and musicians from around the global village; interviews, overviews and profiles.">World Music from Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo22" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/reggae/" title="Reggae interviews, overviews and profiles.">Reggae at Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo23" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/film/" title="Unusual or interesting DVDs, cult and classic films, movie reviews, genre overviews and interviews">Film at Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo24" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/writingelsewhere/" title="Writing in Elsewhere: books, authors, spoken word and poetry that appeal to the spirit of Elsewhere">Writing at Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo25" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/culturalelsewhere/" title="Interviews, essays and reviews in the arts, architecture, culture and politics">Cultural Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo26" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/myphoto/" title="Travel photos of the unusual, or a new look at the familiar. No PhotoShop.">Images from Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo27" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/travel-books-by-graham-reid/" title="A link to Graham's award-winning 2006 collection of acclaimed travel stories, and more">Travel Books by Elsewhere's Graham Reid<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo28" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/travelstories/" title="True tales of odd destinations, weirdness, and the dirt cheap. Or unaffordably expensive.">Travels in Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo29" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/windows/" title="From the window of every room he stays in when travelling Graham takes a photo. The sublime and the seriously ugly.">Windows on Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo30" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/somethingelsewhere/" title="Short stories, satires, stuff and nonsense">Something Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo31" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/wallart/" title="Graffiti, street art, strange signs and murals from Elsewhere">Wall-Art from Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo32" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/recipes/" title="Cool culinary ideas picked up in Elsewhere, with welcome contributions from Elsewhere visitors.">Recipes from Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo33" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/shanio/" title="Elsewhere offers this occasional EP column by the informed Shani O">EPs by Shani.O<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo34" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/biography/" title="Biography and CV">Graham Reid<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo35" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/contact/" title="Contact">Contact<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo36" class="last " ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/links/" title="A list of links to music, travel and arts sites of interest to Elsewhere readers">Links to Somewhere else<span></span></a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="menu" class="vertical"> <ul class=" hidden-xs hidden-sm"> <li id="itemNo0" class="first " ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/" title="Music reviews, travel writing, the arts, interviews">Home<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo1" class="current " ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/" title="New albums reviewed, reissues assessed, and gems from the vaults">Music at Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo2" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/absoluteelsewhere/" title="Interviews, overviews and other views of Elsewhere music and musicians">Absolute Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo3" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/albumconsidered/" title="Unusual, over-looked and interesting albums considered">The Album Considered<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo4" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/favouritefive/" title="Five of the best albums from recent postings at Elsewhere">Favourite Five Recent Releases<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo5" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/absurdelsewhere/" title="Satire, parody, weak-minded wit and humour at Elsewhere">Absurd Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo6" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/weneedtotalkabout/" title="Strange, eccentric and sometimes mad people or unusual events in the music world.">WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT . . .<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo7" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/artebyelsewhere/" title="Art, collages and images by Graham Reid for Elsewhere">Art by Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo8" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/thefamouselsewherequestionnaire/" title="Questions asked and answered">The Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo9" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/personal/" title="Entries of little consequence to anyone other than the author of this site, family and those with too much time on their hands.">Personal Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo10" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/essentialelsewhere/" title="Cornerstone albums in any serious but Elsewhere collection">Essential Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo11" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/fromthevaults/" title="From the Vaults">From the Vaults<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo12" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/further/" title="Sounds beyond songs, ideas outside the obvious, possibiltiies far from pop">Further Outwhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo13" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/yasminbrown/" title="Elsewhere offers this occasional EP column by the informed Yasmin Brown">EPs by Yasmin Brown<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo14" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/othervoicesotherrooms/" title="Readers' opinions on a variety of subjects">Other Voices, Other Rooms<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo15" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/mybackpages/" title="Stories behind Graham's encounters with famous, and famously awkward, musicians. Nice people and nasty ones.">My Back Pages<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo16" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/livereviews/" title="Live reviews by Graham Reid, photos by Garry Brandon">Live reviews + concert photos<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo17" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/bargainbuy/" title="Good value music CDs from JB Hi-Fi stores in New Zealand, and on amazon.com">The Bargain Buy<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo18" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/hifivinyl/" title="Elsewhere offers this section of new and reissued vinyl records">Hi-Fi Vinyl<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo19" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/jazz/" title="Jazz of all persuasions, interviews and overviews, classic and cutting-edge">Jazz at Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo20" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/blues/" title="Interviews, overviews and reviews of classic and contemporary blues musicians and music">Blues at Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo21" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/world-music/" title="Music and musicians from around the global village; interviews, overviews and profiles.">World Music from Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo22" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/reggae/" title="Reggae interviews, overviews and profiles.">Reggae at Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo23" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/film/" title="Unusual or interesting DVDs, cult and classic films, movie reviews, genre overviews and interviews">Film at Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo24" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/writingelsewhere/" title="Writing in Elsewhere: books, authors, spoken word and poetry that appeal to the spirit of Elsewhere">Writing at Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo25" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/culturalelsewhere/" title="Interviews, essays and reviews in the arts, architecture, culture and politics">Cultural Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo26" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/myphoto/" title="Travel photos of the unusual, or a new look at the familiar. No PhotoShop.">Images from Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo27" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/travel-books-by-graham-reid/" title="A link to Graham's award-winning 2006 collection of acclaimed travel stories, and more">Travel Books by Elsewhere's Graham Reid<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo28" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/travelstories/" title="True tales of odd destinations, weirdness, and the dirt cheap. Or unaffordably expensive.">Travels in Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo29" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/windows/" title="From the window of every room he stays in when travelling Graham takes a photo. The sublime and the seriously ugly.">Windows on Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo30" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/somethingelsewhere/" title="Short stories, satires, stuff and nonsense">Something Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo31" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/wallart/" title="Graffiti, street art, strange signs and murals from Elsewhere">Wall-Art from Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo32" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/recipes/" title="Cool culinary ideas picked up in Elsewhere, with welcome contributions from Elsewhere visitors.">Recipes from Elsewhere<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo33" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/shanio/" title="Elsewhere offers this occasional EP column by the informed Shani O">EPs by Shani.O<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo34" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/biography/" title="Biography and CV">Graham Reid<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo35" class="" ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/contact/" title="Contact">Contact<span></span></a></li> <li id="itemNo36" class="last " ><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/links/" title="A list of links to music, travel and arts sites of interest to Elsewhere readers">Links to Somewhere else<span></span></a></li> </ul> </div> </nav> <section id="main" class="col-md-7 col-sm-9"> <article id="content" itemprop="review" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Review"> <h1 id="h1" class="entry-title" itemprop="itemReviewed">Steve Abel and the Chrysalids: Flax Happy (Monkey/Rhythmethod)</h1> <div id="article"> <div class="entry-content"> <p class="date" ><span class="fn" itemprop="author">Graham Reid</span> | <time datetime="2008-05-24" itemprop="datePublished">May 24, 2008</time> | <span class="fa fa-bookmark"></span> <1 min read</p> <figure class="previewtrack entry-unrelated"> <h5 class="previewtitle">Steve Abel and the Chrysalids: Cinders of the Sun (with Jolie Holland)</h5> <audio class="audioplayer" controls="controls" controlsList="nodownload"> <source src="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/downloads/mp3s/15_Track05.mp3" type="audio/mpeg"> Your browser does not support the audio element. </audio> </figure> <img src="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/images/v95000/articles/46219D2C-E0C3-CE1E-A23F354573F52CF5.jpg" itemprop="image" alt="Steve Abel and the Chrysalids: Flax Happy (Monkey/Rhythmethod)" class="main-image float-right"/> <div itemprop="reviewBody"> <p>Among the many unaddressed issues about the effectiveness of New Zealand Music Month is that of so many albums being released: they cancel each other out and some just won't get the attention they deserve.</p> <p>I sincerly hope that out of the mountain released -- around 50 albums in, or in time for, NZMM, which is just self-defeating -- that this languid, melancholy and lowkey outing doesn't slide to the bottom.</p> <p>Singer-songerwriter Abel recorded these 13 fully-formed songs in just two days with a band which includes members of Goldenhorse (Geoff Maddock, Ben King), Pluto (Milan Borich, Mike Hall) and Goodshirt (Gareth Thomas), plus guest appearances by American singer-songwriter Jolie Holland (on two songs) and Anika Moa on the te reo/English Pin of Love/Ka pinea koe.</p> <p>Abel is a refined writer whose lyrics have a bone-bare quality (Deborah consists of a couple of dozen words, but they say it all) and the alt.country/backwoods balladry quality of acoustic guitars, violin and double bass -- not to mention musical saw -- lends itself to the elemental words which don't shy away from disconcerting themes (Cinders of the Sun, Heart of Misery and Frail among them).</p> <p>Yet this doesn't feel like a dark journey, more the sound of someone writing and singing from a place where there is no guile, just hard truth and clear eyes.</p> <p>Put aside a few dozen recently released local albums for a while and check this one out. It is quite special.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div id="sharing" class="block no-print"> <h2>Share It</h2> <div id="sharethis" class="large"> <div class="addthis_sharing_toolbox"></div> </div> </div> <h2>Your Comments</h2> <div id="comments" class="block no-print"> <div class="comment clearfix" id="comment-wrap-61"> <h4>allen<span class="date"> - Dec 18, 2008</span></h4> <p id="comment-61" class="comment-text edit-comment">This makes it as an album of the year for me. It stands out as NZ song writing and is so different from much of the NZ music scene. As a live act, they are very original. As a studio album, the instrumentation supports great songs.</p> <textarea class="edit-comment form-control" style="display:none;">This makes it as an album of the year for me. It stands out as NZ song writing and is so different from much of the NZ music scene. As a live act, they are very original. As a studio album, the instrumentation supports great songs.</textarea> <a class="edit-comment btn btn-default btn-xs clearfix" href="/music/1620/steve-abel-and-the-chrysalids-flax-happy-monkey-rhythmethod/#comments" onclick="saveComment(61);return false;" title="Edit Body" style="display: none;">Save</a> </div> <p><a href="/music/1620/steve-abel-and-the-chrysalids-flax-happy-monkey-rhythmethod/#" id="post-comment-link" onclick="$('#post-comment').show(); $('#post-comment-link').hide(); return false;" class="btn btn-default">post a comment</a></p> <div class="post-comment" id="post-comment" style="clear: both;display:none;"> <h3>Post Comment</h3> <p class="note">Comments are restricted to registered users or subscribers only - make sure you enter an email address this site will recognise</p> <form id="commentform-66" method="post" action="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/1620/steve-abel-and-the-chrysalids-flax-happy-monkey-rhythmethod/" class="contact-form no-ajax"> <fieldset> <p class="note"><span class="required">*</span> <em>required fields</em></p> <input type="hidden" name="userid" id="userid" value="" /> <div class="form-group"> <label for="name" class="control-label">Name <span class="required">*</span></label> <input type="text" class="form-control text required" size="40" name="name" id="name" value="" /> </div> <div class="form-group"> <label for="email" class="control-label">Email <span class="required">*</span></label> <input type="text" class="form-control text email required" size="40" name="email" id="email" value="" /> </div> <div class="form-group captcha"> <div class="g-recaptcha" data-sitekey="6Lfk3gETAAAAAGMZ4FAC9Vy5MOqWEk2a4YIHQ2eu"></div> </div> <div class="form-group"> <label for="comment" class="control-label">Comment <span class="required">*</span></label> <textarea name="comment" class="form-control textarea required" id="comment" rows="10" cols="40"></textarea> </div> <div class="form-group"> <button type="submit" name="submit" id="submit" class="btn btn-primary">Post Comment</button> </div> </fieldset> </form> </div> </div> <div id="related" class="block no-print"> <h2>Related Articles</h2> <p class="tags"><span><a href="tags/renee+louise+carafice/">renee louise carafice</a></span><span><a href="tags/monkey+records/">monkey records</a></span><span><a href="tags/josh+rouse/">josh rouse</a></span><span><a href="tags/jason+collett/">jason collett</a></span><span><a href="tags/jolie+holland/">jolie holland</a></span><span><a href="tags/malcolm+middleton/">malcolm middleton</a></span><span><a href="tags/richard+hawes/">richard hawes</a></span><span><a href="tags/steve+abel/">steve abel</a></span><span><a href="tags/bond+street+bridge/">bond street bridge</a></span><span><a href="tags/tim+guy/">tim guy</a></span></p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 article"> <a href="music/3003/josh-rouse-el-turista-bedroom-classics/" title="Josh Rouse: El Turista (Bedroom Classics)"><img class="img-responsive" src="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/images/311x250/articles/2_josh.jpg" alt="Josh Rouse: El Turista (Bedroom Classics)" width="311" height="250" /></a> <div class="body"> <p class='link-header'><a href='https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/'>Music at Elsewhere</a></p> <h3><a href="music/3003/josh-rouse-el-turista-bedroom-classics/" title="Josh Rouse: El Turista (Bedroom Classics)">Josh Rouse: El Turista (Bedroom Classics)</a></h3> <p>The musically itinerant Josh Rouse has long been an Elsewhere favourite for his musical curiosity (Seventies singer-songwriters, Nashville, indie-rock and so on) and he doesn't disappoint here as... <a href="music/3003/josh-rouse-el-turista-bedroom-classics/" title="Josh Rouse: El Turista (Bedroom Classics)" class="more">> Read more</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 article"> <a href="thefamouselsewherequestionnaire/3950/the-famous-elsewhere-questionnaire-tim-guy/" title="THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Tim Guy"><img class="img-responsive" src="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/images/311x250/articles/Tim-Guy-web.jpg" alt="THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Tim Guy" width="311" height="250" /></a> <div class="body"> <p class='link-header'><a href='https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/thefamouselsewherequestionnaire/'>The Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire</a></p> <h3><a href="thefamouselsewherequestionnaire/3950/the-famous-elsewhere-questionnaire-tim-guy/" title="THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Tim Guy">THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Tim Guy</a></h3> <p>Singer-songwriter Tim Guy returned to New Zealand from Australia a few years ago and in that time has released three fine albums, the most recent being Big World. He has toured New Zealand... <a href="thefamouselsewherequestionnaire/3950/the-famous-elsewhere-questionnaire-tim-guy/" title="THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Tim Guy" class="more">> Read more</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="pager" class="block no-print"> <h2>More from this section <span class="note"><a style="font-weight:normal;font-size:17px;" href="music/">Music at Elsewhere articles index</a></span></h2> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-6 col-sm-6 article"> <a href="music/11213/lime-cordiale-enough-of-the-sweet-talk-digital-outlets/" title="Lime Cordiale: Enough of the Sweet Talk (digital outlets)"><img class="img-responsive" src="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/images/311x250/articles/Screenshot_2024-07-27_at_11.26.55_AM.png" alt="Lime Cordiale: Enough of the Sweet Talk (digital outlets)" width="311" height="250" /></a> <div class="body"> <h3><a href="music/11213/lime-cordiale-enough-of-the-sweet-talk-digital-outlets/" title="Lime Cordiale: Enough of the Sweet Talk (digital outlets)">Lime Cordiale: Enough of the Sweet Talk (digital outlets)</a></h3> <p>As we have noted previously in reference to the Australian brothers Oli and Louis Leimbach, we are shameless in our love of pop music which does little more than entertain and make us feel good for... <a href="music/11213/lime-cordiale-enough-of-the-sweet-talk-digital-outlets/" title="Lime Cordiale: Enough of the Sweet Talk (digital outlets)" class="more">> Read more</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-6 col-sm-6 article"> <a href="music/7698/the-lemon-twigs-do-hollywood-4ad/" title="The Lemon Twigs: Do Hollywood (4AD)"><img class="img-responsive" src="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/images/311x250/articles/51vz8nTQjWL._SS500.jpg" alt="The Lemon Twigs: Do Hollywood (4AD)" width="311" height="250" /></a> <div class="body"> <h3><a href="music/7698/the-lemon-twigs-do-hollywood-4ad/" title="The Lemon Twigs: Do Hollywood (4AD)">The Lemon Twigs: Do Hollywood (4AD)</a></h3> <p>In the world of New York brothers Brian and Michael D'Addario -- who are the core of the Lemon Twigs – it is forever 1966-68. And mostly British. On this debut album they indulge... <a href="music/7698/the-lemon-twigs-do-hollywood-4ad/" title="The Lemon Twigs: Do Hollywood (4AD)" class="more">> Read more</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="latest" class="block no-print"> <h2>Elsewhere at Elsewhere</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 article"> <a href="further/2108/brian-eno-and-the-sounds-of-silence-obscure-but-not-oblique/" title="BRIAN ENO AND THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE: Obscure but not oblique"><img class="img-responsive" src="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/images/311x250/articles/eno1.jpg" alt="BRIAN ENO AND THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE: Obscure but not oblique" width="311" height="250" /></a> <div class="body"> <p class='link-header'><a href='https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/further/'>Further Outwhere</a></p> <h3><a href="further/2108/brian-eno-and-the-sounds-of-silence-obscure-but-not-oblique/" title="BRIAN ENO AND THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE: Obscure but not oblique">BRIAN ENO AND THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE: Obscure but not oblique</a></h3> <p>By happy chance recently I pulled out a vinyl album which has changed my listening habits for these past weeks. It was released 30 years ago but has always struck me as timeless: it is Brian... <a href="further/2108/brian-eno-and-the-sounds-of-silence-obscure-but-not-oblique/" title="BRIAN ENO AND THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE: Obscure but not oblique" class="more">> Read more</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 article"> <a href="othervoicesotherrooms/5699/guest-illustrator-ross-murray-shares-10-of-his-favourite-illustrated-record-covers/" title="GUEST ILLUSTRATOR ROSS MURRAY shares 10 of his favourite illustrated record covers"><img class="img-responsive" src="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/images/311x250/articles/01_DeadC.jpg" alt="GUEST ILLUSTRATOR ROSS MURRAY shares 10 of his favourite illustrated record covers" width="311" height="250" /></a> <div class="body"> <p class='link-header'><a href='https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/othervoicesotherrooms/'>Other Voices, Other Rooms</a></p> <h3><a href="othervoicesotherrooms/5699/guest-illustrator-ross-murray-shares-10-of-his-favourite-illustrated-record-covers/" title="GUEST ILLUSTRATOR ROSS MURRAY shares 10 of his favourite illustrated record covers">GUEST ILLUSTRATOR ROSS MURRAY shares 10 of his favourite illustrated record covers</a></h3> <p>THE DEAD C: Tusk Not to be confused with the album of the same name by Fleetwood Mac, this record by the Dead C has a cover almost as dark & enigmatic as the music inside. The... <a href="othervoicesotherrooms/5699/guest-illustrator-ross-murray-shares-10-of-his-favourite-illustrated-record-covers/" title="GUEST ILLUSTRATOR ROSS MURRAY shares 10 of his favourite illustrated record covers" class="more">> Read more</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </section> <section id="sidebar" style="display:none;" class="col-sm-3 hidden-xs no-print"> <aside id='sidead' class="sidebarbox"> <h3><b>Your ad here!</b></h3> <h4 style="text-align:center"><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/ratecard/">Advertise at Elsewhere</a></h4> <p style="text-align:center">See our <a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/ratecard/">ratecard</a> for details</p> <span>advertisement</span> </aside> </section> </div> <footer class="row"> <div class="col-md-12"> <nav id="footernav" class="no-print"><p><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/" title="THE MAGAZINE FOR CURIOUS PEOPLE">Home</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/" title="New albums reviewed, reissues assessed, and gems from the vaults">Music at Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/absoluteelsewhere/" title="Interviews, overviews and other views of Elsewhere music and musicians">Absolute Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/albumconsidered/" title="Unusual, over-looked and interesting albums considered">The Album Considered</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/favouritefive/" title="Five of the best albums from recent postings at Elsewhere">Favourite Five Recent Releases</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/absurdelsewhere/" title="Satire, parody, weak-minded wit and humour at Elsewhere">Absurd Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/weneedtotalkabout/" title="Strange, eccentric and sometimes mad people or unusual events in the music world.">WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT . . .</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/artebyelsewhere/" title="Art, collages and images by Graham Reid for Elsewhere">Art by Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/thefamouselsewherequestionnaire/" title="Questions asked and answered">The Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/personal/" title="Entries of little consequence to anyone other than the author of this site, family and those with too much time on their hands.">Personal Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/essentialelsewhere/" title="Cornerstone albums in any serious but Elsewhere collection">Essential Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/fromthevaults/" title="From the Vaults">From the Vaults</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/further/" title="Sounds beyond songs, ideas outside the obvious, possibiltiies far from pop">Further Outwhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/yasminbrown/" title="EPs by Yasmin Brown">EPs by Yasmin Brown</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/othervoicesotherrooms/" title="Readers' opinions on a variety of subjects">Other Voices, Other Rooms</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/mybackpages/" title="Stories behind Graham's encounters with famous, and famously awkward, musicians. Nice people and nasty ones.">My Back Pages</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/livereviews/" title="Live reviews by Graham Reid, photos by Garry Brandon">Live reviews + concert photos</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/bargainbuy/" title="Good value music CDs from JB Hi-Fi stores in New Zealand, and on amazon.com">The Bargain Buy</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/hifivinyl/" title="Hi-Fi Vinyl">Hi-Fi Vinyl</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/jazz/" title="Jazz of all persuasions, interviews and overviews, classic and cutting-edge">Jazz at Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/blues/" title="Interviews, overviews and reviews of classic and contemporary blues musicians and music">Blues at Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/world-music/" title="Music and musicians from around the global village; interviews, overviews and profiles.">World Music from Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/reggae/" title="Reggae interviews, overviews and profiles.">Reggae at Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/film/" title="Unusual or interesting DVDs, cult and classic films, movie reviews, genre overviews and interviews">Film at Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/writingelsewhere/" title="Writing in Elsewhere: books, authors, spoken word and poetry that appeal to the spirit of Elsewhere">Writing at Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/culturalelsewhere/" title="Interviews, essays and reviews in the arts, architecture, culture and politics">Cultural Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/myphoto/" title="Travel photos of the unusual, or a new look at the familiar. No PhotoShop.">Images from Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/travel-books-by-graham-reid/" title="A link to Graham's award-winning 2006 collection of acclaimed travel stories, and more">Travel Books by Elsewhere's Graham Reid</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/travelstories/" title="True tales of odd destinations, weirdness, and the dirt cheap. Or unaffordably expensive.">Travels in Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/windows/" title="From the window of every room he stays in when travelling Graham takes a photo. The sublime and the seriously ugly.">Windows on Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/somethingelsewhere/" title="Short stories, satires, stuff and nonsense">Something Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/wallart/" title="Graffiti, street art, strange signs and murals from Elsewhere">Wall-Art from Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/recipes/" title="Cool culinary ideas picked up in Elsewhere, with welcome contributions from Elsewhere visitors.">Recipes from Elsewhere</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/shanio/" title="EPs by Shani.O">EPs by Shani.O</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/biography/" title="Biography and CV">Graham Reid</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/contact/" title="Contact">Contact</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/links/" title="A list of links to music, travel and arts sites of interest to Elsewhere readers">Links to Somewhere else</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/tags/" title="Tags">Tags</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/subscribe/" title="Subscribe">Subscribe</a><a href="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/sitemap/" title="A simple listing of all pages on this website">Sitemap</a></p></nav> <div id="footercredits"><p>© 2024 Elsewhere Ltd. </p></div> <form action="https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/1620/steve-abel-and-the-chrysalids-flax-happy-monkey-rhythmethod/" method="post" class="no-print"><button id="invert" type="submit" class="btn btn-default" value="white" name="invert">Too Black! Too Strong!</button><button id="revert" class="btn btn-default hidden" type="submit" value="goblack" name="invert">Blinded by the White!</button></form> </div> </footer> </div> <iframe src="javascript:false;" name="frajax-iframe" id="frajax-iframe" style="display:none; height: 0; width: 0; border: 0;"></iframe> <script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.12.4/jquery.min.js"></script> <script> var siteurl = 'https://www.elsewhere.co.nz'; var secureurl = 'https://www.elsewhere.co.nz'; </script> <script src="https://elsewhere.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/js/common_1643848911.js" defer></script> <script src='https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js' defer></script> <script src="https://s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-55d102ec78d05130" async="async"></script> <!-- [[CACHE INFORMATION]] --><!-- Page generation time: 0.192s; PageID: *66* --> </body> </html> <!-- cached page - Tuesday 5th of November 2024 05:59:19 AM, Page : /music/1620/steve-abel-and-the-chrysalids-flax-happy-monkey-rhythmethod/ -->