Photography David Payne
There is a hum of excitement rippling through the Hi-Fi Bar as Sydney instrumentalists Decoder Ring take to the stage for the launch of their fourth album They Blind The Stars, And The Wild Team. They introduced the latest delights of their audio alchemy with a captivating build-up of anticipation. Slowly, the music expands like a sonic puzzle, with the pieces falling carefully into place. Before too long the sound is ringing through the room in epic waves of joy and we are spellbound and staring slack-jawed at the hypnotising visuals.
With Spring only just stumbling out of the starting blocks, an evening with the Decoder Ring boys is enough to have you waxing lyrical about new beginnings for hours. The first part of their set delivers a profound expression of rebirth. Flowers bloom brilliantly across the projection screen, insects appear to scurry in time to every sonic twinkle and microorganisms are seemingly in perfect choreography with the sound. All the while, the orchestral beauty of their sublimely stewed synth, keys, drums and guitar fills the room and demands we pay attention. There is an enchanting connection between the music and visuals, like the projections are just another part of the instrumental equation: which is undoubtedly why visual artist Simon K has always been referred to as a member of the band.
The sound of their new album is uplifting, evocative and completely original. Decoder Ring are genre defying audio explorers. They combine elements of pop, rock, dance and electronica to create sprawling soundscapes that sweetly but firmly take you by the collar and drag you through every crescendo. Despite the real rock edge of distorted guitars and galloping riffs: rock showmanship is pushed aside for the careful and compelling building of anticipation. The percussion is dealt out with a powerful pounding that appears effortless but a closer look reveals David Williams is getting one hell of a work out, drumming with exquisite skill and speed. Set highlights are Serac and Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom. The jangling indie-rock guitar and soaring synth pop of Beat The Twilight provides the inspiration the punters need to dance. “That’s the Melbourne I remember”, yells Matt Fitzgerald as the dance floor finally erupts.
As it is on the album, there are no guest vocals in the entirely instrumental set. Nor is there any need of any. As a music consumer, there is something liberating in not being spoon fed your emotions on the back of clever lyrics. There is total interpretive freedom. No matter which way you choose to interpret their music, Decoder Ring are a must have experience for any audio adventurer. Witnessing the live atmosphere they create is essential for anyone who has been a keen listener of their recorded works.
