Everything about In Hindsight is vast, the themes, the sounds, of course even the number of performers on it. Hunting Grounds is by nature a very cohesive, collaborative effort. There are multiple songwriters here, heaving and swaying against each other’s ideas and concepts, inspiriting an eclectic and intelligent mix. Three vocalists now also revolve on Hunting Grounds’ stage: Lachlan Morrish, Michael Belsar and Galen Strachan. One might be forgiven for assuming that this is too much for one ambitious debut release, but it’s stitched together in a synth-heavy, hip-swaying cacophony that straddles beautiful and mesmerising.
IN HINDSIGHT launches with the words ‘No idea, where we are from, its clear. Where we are going, I fear is nowhere’ It’s true that this is a needless fear but the perfect spacey catchall to introduce this album. STAR SHARDS kicks with the throbbing bass of John Crawford that is so familiar to Hunting Grounds listeners, and embarks on a spacey journey of reverb drenched guitars and cleverly selected synth sounds. Of FLAWS there is much to say. The one that almost got away; born from a more typical rock song structure and not really intended for the album. Reworked into a hypnotic pseudo-house track, FLAWS now invokes something far grander than the more direct Hunting Grounds of old. Likewise, the middle of the album assaults listeners with LIQUID AIR; easily the ‘biggest’ song on the record. All soaring vocal melodies and uplifting keys, this song belongs in a stadium, or on the credits of your new favourite 80’s action film.
But there are also older, solidly road-tested tunes on here. KILL MY FRIENDS and COLD FEET cleverly marry the unpredictable, wilder live elements of Hunting Grounds into the more controlled elements of the album. KILL MY FRIENDS has all the urgency of older Hunting Grounds tracks, plus the desperate, repetitive yelping of master vocalist Lachlan Morrish. ALL EYES, with its grand piano, driving bass line and the croon of Michael Belsar is a stunning testament to the rapid growth of the Hunting Grounds sound. Plus, there are those hip-swaying, hands-in-the-air rhythms again. The sparse, heady groove of CLEARLY SEE is a pop jingle not so far from The Beatles more psychedelic wanderings. Fitting that the protagonist of the song is slowly losing his mind.
Hunting Grounds endured the waiting game when it came to the fruition of this album. Dates were set, first single (In Colour) released to much radio play and general praise. Then; nothing. The writing process was long and cumbersome, but the sonic growth from the ‘Howl’ and ‘Brothers In Violence’ EPs to ‘In Hindsight’ is palpable; and thus the wait is justified. Dribs and drabs of demoing was at last coaxed together into an album when the band entered Melbourne’s Red Door Sounds with Brothers In Violence producer Paul ‘Woody’ Annison (Children Collide, Black Cab, Young Revelry). The luxury of several weeks with Annison helped the sextet craft tunes that previously seemed offcuts (like FLAWS) into shiny aural gems.
Space is the crucial word here. In Hindsight is filled with it from wall to wall and the results are fabulous. There is a lot of space, every vocal hook and every sound in its place but there are no clinical elements. A handful of tunes sprawl in past the 5-minute mark and most of them boast an ear boggling but very agreeable selection of vocal tracks. Lachlan Morrish’s previously harsh vocal tones have acquired a more melodious quality, but they remain raw, and jolting and retain their unsettling air of old, complimented by the warm tones of other vocalists Belsar and Strachan. There are tips of the musical hat to Radiohead here of course, but the synths are at times a homage to the great man himself; Gary Newman. Older influences also shine through on the album, in the feverish guitar work of Tim Street and the neat, bang-on drumming of Daniel Marie. The old and new collide on In Hindsight to create the wall of sound the band really desired to achieve.
Each and every step of the journey towards the realization of IN HINDSIGHT has been a learning experience. The band’s winning stint as the triple j Unearthed High crown winners sent the band into a quality studio with experienced producers. In fact, Hunting Grounds have really come good as the first Uneathed High winning band to release a full length. Furthermore, a touring schedule that hardened touring veterans would wince at saw them cut their teeth on unfamiliar audiences and make many and varied friends. Venturing outside the support of the small but fruitful Ballarat music scene meant a new perspective, but also solidified the loyalties that lie at home. Indeed, the art and videos that accompany In Hindsight have been crafted by Ballarat locals, giving it all a very cooperative feeling. All in all; IN HINDSIGHT is a testament to the virtues of hard work, an inquisitive mind and an insatiable desire to experiment through sound.
Flaws
Hunting Grounds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I kick this sabbath under my bed, I'm one step further away she said!
And here we are!
We're running far!
Well I scream and sob in my mind, all that's here must end tonight and all I know I don't trust that I will survive because you must
Can latch my socks in my seed my Adam leaves have suck been made
It blankets my side, right in their eye, my one true love must end tonight!
And crush their heart
Well I scream and sob in my mind, all that's here must end tonight and all I know I don't trust that I will survive because you must
I break my hands inside
She's a brick on the other side
I can't seem to get this off my mind
Been runnin' around all night
Well I feel the side of love
Free pain on the dead side love
We've got many slow risks in?
Our win will make us real!
The lyrics of Hunting Grounds' song "Flaws" depict a scenario where the singer is experiencing a sense of paranoia and distress. It begins with the line "It's three in the morning, someone at my door and the cold wind blows against these walls!" conveying a feeling of unease and insecurity. The singer then attempts to distance himself from the situation by hiding under the bed, an act symbolic of a child trying to escape his fears. The lines "And here we are! We're running far!" seem to indicate that the singer is attempting to flee from something or someone that is chasing him.
The singer's thoughts are scattered, "Well I scream and sob in my mind, all that's here must end tonight and all I know I don't trust that I will survive because you must." They are trying to convince themselves that the only way to survive the impending threat is to act swiftly and aggressively. The lines "Lay, latch my socks in my seed my Adam leaves have suck been made It blankets my side, right in their eye, my one true love must end tonight!" may be interpreted as the singer feeling helpless and vulnerable, but at the same time determined to protect his loved ones. The singer appears to be conflicted between their desire to protect their loved ones and their fear of not surviving.
Line by Line Meaning
It's three in the morning, someone at my door and the cold wind blows against these walls!
It's early in the night, I hear a knock on my door, and the cold breeze is chilling my surroundings.
Well I kick this sabbath under my bed, I'm one step further away she said!
I’m hiding my problems, and I'm distancing myself from my issues.
And here we are!
We've arrived at a point of no going back, and we have to deal with the consequences.
We're running far!
We're fleeing from our problems, and we're trying to escape from them as fast as possible.
Well I scream and sob in my mind, all that's here must end tonight and all I know I don't trust that I will survive because you must
I'm silently struggling with my feelings. I know I need to confront my demons, but I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to do it.
Can latch my socks in my seed my Adam leaves have suck been made
I can't control the outcomes of my actions and decisions, and I have to face the consequences of my mistakes.
It blankets my side, right in their eye, my one true love must end tonight!
My biggest love is becoming a burden, and I have to end that toxic relationship for good
And crush their heart
I know breaking their heart is imminent, and it's hard to deal with the guilt and pain it brings.
And look I'm lost
I'm feeling overwhelmed and confused, and I don't know how to fix my problems.
I break my hands inside
I'm trying to hold back my emotions and control my anxiety, but it's damaging me from within.
She's a brick on the other side
My significant other is becoming an obstacle in my path to self-discovery and recovery.
I can't seem to get this off my mind
My problems are consuming my thoughts, and it's hard to clear my head.
Been runnin' around all night
I've been trying to escape from my fears and anxieties all night by running and avoiding confrontation.
Well I feel the side of love
I'm starting to understand the consequences of loving someone, and it's not always perfect.
Free pain on the dead side love
Even though it might hurt, I need to let go of my old love, and move on to something new.
We've got many slow risks in?
We're facing many challenges and obstacles on our road to recovery.
Our win will make us real!
If we overcome these obstacles and solve our problems, we'll become stronger and more resilient people.
Contributed by Jason R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@FrivolousLawsuit
very underrated song, and also like the subtlety of the video clip
@SilicaCove
sounding tight. like this new sound from you guys
@IMCHILDmusic
RIP homies.
@COLTxPYTHON
Now that's passion!
@FreshSoup
got both your first EPs cant wait for this album!
@l33hd33r
BDO!!!!
@TheDukeWin
Aww man you went in the lake. Thats commitment
@Bethsearle
Love the new sound. Epic.
@aliciaranus
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! i love the new sound guys, just keep getting better and better <3 see you guys in Sydney <3
@omen92003
Thanks Trip J...Friggin awesome song guys! Voted you No 1 in Hottest 100!!! You will get up :)