Ways & Means
Kelly is an Australian singer-songwriter much loved in his homeland, but distressingly underappreciated everywhere else. Because he focuses on working-class life, he's sometimes compared toBruce Springsteen, but really his best albums are closer to the unassuming art of British film director Mike Leigh. Kelly hit what appeared to be his creative peak in the late '80s and early '90s, most notably onGossipandUnder the Sun. What followed was a string of releases that included great songs but as much (or more) filler.Thankfully, the two-discWays & Meansis Kelly's most consistently satisfying disc in at least a decade. Book-ended by two Melbourne surf instrumentals, its 21 songs capture love in its many splendid and splintered forms. Kelly's lyrical gifts are sharp as ever, whether he's detailing a three-sided romance as it morphs over decades ("The Oldest Story in the Book"), praising the carnal delights of "Curly Red," or describing the thrall of romantic rapture ("Forty Eight Angels"). Credit is also due to Kelly's best band in a long time (in particular the twin guitar attack of Dan Luscombe and Dan Kelly), as well as the just-polished-enough production of Tchad Blake. Very smart and very adult,Ways & Meansdoesn't fit the template for a big 21st century hit, but it deserves a far wider audience that it's likely to find. --Keith Moerer