Review: Courtney Barnett – A Sea of Split Peas

Courtney Barnett

The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas

Milk! Records

Street: 04.15

Courtney Barnett = Lou Reed + Patti Smith

Like a collection of Cheever shorts cut to Lou Reed, this “Double EP” features the most invigorating songwriting since Joni Mitchell’s Blue. Yes, Courtney has claimed this is not a real album—a “non-album” if you will—and if the songs don’t necessarily lose momentum, the album certainly does halfway through.

But what it lacks in cohesiveness, it more than makes up for in staying power. Songs like “Avant Gardener” and “History Eraser” will stick in your brain like a tumor. These songs are deceptive. One minute it’s casual, almost languid, the next she takes you into a ravine of angsty power pop and on a trip you won’t soon forget. –Taylor Hale