Epic, ambitious and inspiring, the long-awaited debut record from orchestral artrock group The Red Paintings was five years in the making, taking founder and songwriter Trash McSweeney on an endless quest around the globe for the rightcolours to shape his synesthesia-inspired opus. The results are impressive – a 35-piece orchestra, harps, theremins, a 22-piece choir and of course, the band’s biting alternative rock, ranging from childlike lullabies of the future, to rousing emotional anthems. It looks as though the creative promise and ambition of The Red Paintings has finally been fulfilled on this dynamic and electric debut. A must-have record and one of the highlights of the Australian and international release calendar for 2013. For fans of: Dresden Dolls, Smashing Pumpkins, Arcade Fire, Muse