Melbourne brothers recruit Lucky cousin for pop gem. On Far from the Madding Crowd Steinbecks' songwriters, brothers Josh & Joel Meadows, team up with their cousin Tali White (Lucksmiths, Guild League) to craft one of the first shining pop gems of the post-Candle Melbourne pop scene. The Meadows brothers have been writing and singing songs about things that matter to them for longer than either care to remember, but Far from the Madding Crowd marks the first time the brothers have written and recorded with their cousin. Two songs on the album 'The Doppler Effect', a powerful pop punch that dissects the city/country relationship, and the gorgeous 'Have You Ever Looked After a Song?' are sung and co-written by White. Other stand-outs include opener '1987 + 1994 = 2007', in which the 'becks somehow manage to blend the sensibilities of the Pet Shop Boys with the sensuality of Pavement, and the angsty nature hymn, 'Moon & Stars'. Musically the record has echoes of Nick Drake, Lloyd Cole, My Morning Jacket, the Chills and Big Star.