Album Review: Mick Harvey - Four (Acts Of Love)

Mick Harvey is without a doubt one of the most celebrated and prolific musicians in Australia's musical history, so it comes as no surprise that his first post-Nick Cave solo album Four (Acts Of Love) arrives with great anticipation.

Despite its title, Four (Acts Of Love) is split into three acts: Summertime In New York, The Story Of Love and Wild Hearts Run Out Of Time. Each are comprised of four-to-five songs, follow a narrative and roughly the same musical ideals, even including a cover or two. Things kick off with Harvey reinterpreting a hymn in the form of Praise The Earth (Wheels Of Amber And Gold) which is an oddly upbeat opener. Following on is a cover of PJ Harvey (no relation) obscurity Glorious, which even at this early point is a notable highlight, and quite loyal to Polly's sound. Where There's Smoke (Before) closes act one and it feels as if you have already sat through a worthwhile LP.

The driving rhythm of I Wish That I Were Stone proves another clear highlight with Harvey's melancholic lyrics oddly shining through. Covers of Van Morrison's The Way Lovers Do and Roy Orbison's Wild Hearts are really quite authentic in their delivery and drive the record's central premise. Closer Praise The Earth, on the other hand, is noticeably the album's weak point, and it feels as if Harvey is taking on modern indie rock sounds while at the same time trying to get a message across, and it simply doesn't work. However, it's a negligible and very much forgivable misstep on this enticing record that's both essential for Harvey fans and completely viable for new listeners.