The music on Salmon Brothers’ More To Love stands unwavering. The hugely infectious and high-spirited debut disco record from members Nick Meredith and the late Nick Weaver (Deep Sea Arcade and The Tambourine Girls) is vibrant, colourful and sincere fun. There’s a Parcels-esque buoyancy to these soulful tunes—it’d be strange if you didn’t move to the music. That also goes for being moved emotionally; More To Love is an exquisite swan song, being Weaver’s final body of work. His mother Hellen Wellings shares, “I’m thrilled [Weaver] reached those heights of happiness that culminated in ten amazing tracks you never tire of listening to.” With his bandmate Meredith stitching together the last pieces of their collaborations, the sparkly More To Love is a product of sheer passion and the immortalisation of Weaver’s legacy in Australian music.
The whole album is a glistening collection of immaculately-produced disco tunes that satisfyingly pound the ears. Take the opener and lead single ‘Fools Can’t Tell No Lies’, which is propelled by crystalline hi-hats and a melody in the spirit of the Bee Gees. Both Nicks’ keen ears for nailing the clubbable genre are not to be understated. ‘VIP Lounge’ is a soft rock detour with a bouldering sax solo by their friend Karl Laskowski. Meredith described it as Hall and Oates with a samba energy, which couldn’t be more appropriate. ‘Two Parts of a Broken Heart’ is the dreamy sophisti-pop ballad of the bunch, whereas the titular ‘More To Love’ is injected with enthusiastic lovey-doveyness, musically calling to feed on someone you love. The outlier and standout track is ‘Salmon Brothers Theme,’ a committed tribute to the perpetually unfolding harmonies that define disco. Both Nicks prove the disco genre is in their wheelhouse by forging this massive unfolding groove that you could tell they had so much fun creating.
The music is charming, but the lyrics examine several poignant scenarios. ‘Sugar Daddy’s Lament’ illustrates a hedonistic lifestyle, apt with the uptempo music: “Every morning is a longer sleep / Every night is your sweet sixteen”. Meanwhile, the title track is an endearing, smile-inducing plea for love: “I guess I’m asking / Can you feel these shoes / Come on over / Let me be that little spoon”. Elsewhere, ‘VIP Lounge’ tackles more serious territory of an inescapable gambling addiction: “I know where you will be / With your disease / At the VIP lounge where you’re a VIP”. Both Nicks might be having the time of their lives with the sound, but they’re socially aware when need be.
That versatility is reflective of the heights that the duo sought for. Meredith hoped that they’d “get rich and famous off this record” to follow it up with a full symphony orchestra, but they didn’t need that. That’s because More To Love exists. It’s a vehicle for chasing the horizon and celebrating Weaver’s enduring legacy. Now that’s the unifying power of disco and the Salmon Brothers.
More To Love is available to listen to now on all major music platforms.