Album review: Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit

Australian singer-songwriter, Courtney Barnett. Photo / AP

Courtney Barnett's debut album is the perfect follow-up to the Australian rock chick's 2013 double EP, The Double EP: A Sea Of Spilt Peas.

Released on her self-made indie label, Milk! Records, Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit is a charming mix of toe-tapping rock 'n' roll riffs and quirky lyrics sung spoken-word-style in Barnett's rough Aussie drawl.

The urgent verses and distorted guitar of the album's single, Pedestrian At Best, morph into a squealing chorus of, "Put me on a pedestal and I'll only disappoint you. Tell me I'm exceptional, I promise to exploit you."

Watch the music video for Pedestrian At Best by Courtney Barnett:

On Small Poppies Barnett shows off her sleepy story-telling side. On Depreston she visits a depressing open-home for a deceased estate over dreamy guitar echos. Things speed up on Aqua Profunda!, an endearing song about someone catching the 26-year-old's eye at a swimming pool. Nobody Really Cares If You Don't Go To The Party is a fun, grungy track filled with rolling drums, a warbling bass line and a wailing guitar solo.

And Sometimes I Sit captures the rugged cool that Barnett brings in her live performances. She's easily fulfilled fan expectations.

Artist: Courtney Barnett
Album: Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Label: Milk! Records
Verdict: An endearing debut

- TimeOut