Category Archives: cd

Thursday – ‘No Devolución’ – Album Review

By Helen Brown


No Devolucion - Thursday – No Devolucion – Thursday		   Nowadays, the word ‘genre’ can be the kiss of death for a band. Unless they do something phenomenal and memorable with their music, they run the risk of falling into a certain category and being lost among the throngs of other musicians doing the exact same thing. Case in point: Thursday’s sixth release, No Devolucion. This New Jersey-based outfit have
created an album loaded with screamo American rock and impressive lead vocals, projecting a dark and broody atmosphere. Unfortunately, this effort is not ground-breaking and we have heard it all before. Licks of fuzzed-out guitar with sporadic psychedelic notes on No Devolución offer something else to the typical screamo mould, but it is not quite different enough to redeem the album. The tracks are

primarily average with hardly any substance, in some cases comparable to an emo church choir if such a thing existed.

One example is the track ‘Open Quotes,’ consisting of a mellow introduction with acoustic guitar and soft piano notes. This is but a brief reprieve from the hardcore onslaught of the rest of the song, with strong drumming and an ever-changing tempo that comes to a sudden halt at the end. The track is about someone sorting through their emotions, and trying to survive and find their place in a dark world, once again very similar to what we have all heard before.
Continue reading Thursday – ‘No Devolución’ – Album Review →

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CD Review: Gay Paris – The Skeleton’s Problematic Granddaughter

The Skeleton’s Problematic Granddaughter is the debut LP release from Sydney four piece GAY PARIS and from all accounts, it’s a damn good one.

  Gay Paris list themselves as Swamp Stomp/ Shack Funk/ Bastard Rock, and that’s exactly what this album delivers. The growling, gritty vocals of WH Monks complemented by dirty guitar driven rock riffs and killer drumming. There is an underlying 80’s stadium rock vibe throughout and with songs like “My First Wife? She Was A Fox Queen!” setting the stadium rock anthmatic standard.

One noteable variation came in at track 8 “Soliloquy From Either Station”. Slow chant stomp with Elvis styled vocal and haunting violin hovering above. An unexpected highlight.

Rating: 7.5
The Skeleton's Problematic Granddaughter - Gay Paris – The Skeleton’s Problematic Granddaughter – Gay Paris
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Status Quo “In The Army Now 2010” [LP Review]

Review: Natalie Salvo
Status Quo are a group of Englishmen known for their brand of boogie rock and have gotten a lot of mileage over the years from power chords and the furious sounds of fighting. Now it seems the band are giving a little something back by releasing a charity single titled “In The Army Now”. This release serves as part teaser to their forthcoming studio album, “Quid Pro Quo” and support for the British Armed Forces with profits from its sale going to the British Forces Foundation and Help For Heroes charities.

The Quo covered this track back in 1986 and scored a hit on the UK singles chart.

The 2010 version sees the lyrics get a revamp (to be more pro-army) plus an update to the music. But rest assured, there are still power chords aplenty and a chorus of angry young men (as the band are assisted by The Corps of Army Music). But strangely there are also hints of the atmospheric and in particular (and I kid you not) Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight”.

This mini-LP comes with the two 2010 versions of the title track including full length and radio edits. There are also two studio rarities “I Ain’t Wasting My Time” and “One By One” and five live Quo numbers taken from shows performed in England in 2008 and 2009. These include their classics “Caroline,” “Whatever You Want” and “Down Down”. There are also videos for the title song and “Beginning Of The End”.

Quo fans won’t be disappointed with this collection of music as it showcases more of their boogie rock with big beefy guitar riffs that hint at AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, but all while having an added rock and roll bent – almost like what would happen if Little Richard did his musical thing but replaced his piano with an arsenal of guitars. With the speed of a freight train, energy of a battalion and the heavy firepower of modern artillery, Status Quo prove they’ve still got the chops to go into battle and take a stand for what they believe in. Basically it’s three power chords and the rock uncouth.

Title: In The Army Now 2010
Artist: Status Quo
Status Quo – Status Quo

Review by: Natalie Salvo

Related:
More article by Natalie Salvo:
* Smoke on the Water – The Metropolis Sessions [CD/DVD Review]
* Cloud Control, Seekae and Deep Sea Arcade @ The Metro, Sydney 15 October 2010 – Live Review & Photos
* Amanda Palmer Performs the Popular Hits of Radiohead on Her Magical Ukulele – EP Review
* The Magic Numbers “The Runaway” – [Album Review]
* The Drums “The Drums” – [EP Review]
* All articles by Natalie Salvo…

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Status Quo: Just Doin' it Live – 40 Years of Quo

Buy It Now!		   40 Years of Quo Classics filmed Live at Birmingham NEC, England, May 21st 2006.Album DetailsRelease Date: 2007-01-12Genre: MusicRating: MAudio: Dolby Digital 2.0 StereoContents: 1 disc
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Smoke on the Water – The Metropolis Sessions [CD/DVD Review]

Review: Natalie Salvo
Title: Smoke on the Water – The Metropolis Sessions
Artists: Various
A devastating earthquake rips through the city leaving tens of thousands dead and hundreds of thousands homeless. No, I’m not writing about any one of the natural disasters to have plagued our planet over the last year or so. Sadly, history has a way of repeating itself and Mother Nature is one cruel bitch.

The year was 1988 and a 6.9 magnitude earthquake tore through Armenia. International charity campaigner, Jon Dee was there working at getting coverage of the devastation and he was so horrified by what he saw (particularly the images of people carrying child size coffins) that he felt compelled to do something and hence, “Smoke On The Water-The Metropolis Sessions” was born. It was to be a reworking of the Deep Purple classic, a song that is almost instilled into our brains at birth and certainly one that any aspiring guitarist worth his weight will work through at some point.
Continue reading Smoke on the Water – The Metropolis Sessions [CD/DVD Review] →

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Myles Mayo – Myles Mayo [Album Review]

Review by: Ben Connolly


Buy the CD here		   First albums can be tricky beasts to get right. For some they’re cringe-worthy telegraphs of earnest naivety best left uncovered, for others they signpost a highpoint never again attained. For most, however, they are a hotch-potch of eagerness and ideas, often with so much crammed into short hard-won studio time or crazy experiments trying to find their way around a myriad of home recording equipment.

Myles Mayo’s self-titled debut release falls into the latter “trying to cram everything in” category which, while certainly interesting and intriguing, often comes across as a curious iPod playlist at times, rather than a cohesive narrative.

Mayo is the front-man of Adelaide pop-rock band Special Patrol who’s found just enough internal artistic drive to branch out on his own.
Continue reading Myles Mayo – Myles Mayo [Album Review] →

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Femi Kuti – Africa For Africa [LP Review]

Review by: Ben Connolly


Buy the CD here		   I’ve always been fascinated by the anthropology of musical styles – the evolution of a distinctive style and sound based on many factors, but often described easiest by geographic boundaries. Take, for example, Memphis blues with its jug-band country feel, as opposed to the Detroit blues and it’s altogether grubby and gritty undertones. While both evolved from the same musical stirrings (and both served as underpinning styles of modern blues and rock n roll), their sounds are geographically distinct and unmistakable. You can hear the swamps and sandflies in Memphis blues, and you can almost sense the grease under the fingernails plucking the Detroit blues guitars.

Heck, there’s no musical style so underpinned by geography than slow, languid, feisty and hot reggae which, no matter where it’s played, evokes the Jamaican countryside to a tee.
Continue reading Femi Kuti – Africa For Africa [LP Review] →

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The Go! Team – Rolling Blackouts [Album Review]

Review By Helen Brown


Rolling Blackouts (Bonus Track Version) - The Go! Team – Rolling Blackouts (Bonus Track Version)		   Rolling Blackouts, the third release from British band The Go! Team, can be best described as a breath of fresh, salty sea air. The tracks are energetic and empowering, the kind of album you would take with you on a short road trip adventure. The Go! Team exhibit undertones of Regurgitator’s electronica phase, circa 1997 to 1999.

Their first song, ‘T.O.R.N.A.D.O.,’ is a hip hop-laced number about moving your body to the beat. It is punchy right from the start with no soft introduction to ease you in. The tracks ‘Secretary Song’ and ‘Bust-Out-Brigade’, sound very much like theme songs from sitcoms and crime shows with the use of cheerful clap-along beats and synthesised siren sounds respectively.

The vibe throughout the album is generally to be happy within yourself, enjoy life and have fun with the people around you.
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Album Review | Ben Ottewell – Shapes and Shadows

Review by Bianca Martin
It has apparently been five years in the making, but Gomez frontman Ben Ottewell has finally released his debut solo album Shapes and Shadows. Gomez fans need not worry though, this release shouldn’t be seen as a departure from Ottewell’s main project but instead as an expansion on it. Easily the most recognizable vocalist from the English indie rockers, his unique voice remains the focus here. Ottewell’s vocals are perfect for this classic acoustic soft rock, bordering on folk at times, style. Distinctive and naturally emotional, his voice is a little gritty and rough around the edges but mournful and somber at just the right moments.
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Buddy Miller- Majestic Silver Strings [Album Review]

Review: Victoria Nugent

  American country singer Buddy Miller’s latest offering Majestic Silver String feels like less of an album than a country music compilation with an extensive roster of guest vocalists filling out the tracks.

There’s a bit of a throwback to 70s style country, with the whole album coming across as mellow and somewhat prairie sounding in places. This is country music that is undeniably American, with strains of bluegrass and yodelling permeating the album.

Buddy Miller has teamed up with other country guitarists Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot and Greg Leisz to create the solid, if occasionally tired instrumentals that form the backbone of most of the tracks.

“Cattle Call” starts off with an extended instrumental that is pure bluegrass, lonesome and twangy, with the eventual addition of Miller’s mellifluous vocals and a tinge of yodelling.

In “No Good Lover”, Miller teams up with Ann McCrary for a duet with bite, focusing on the demise of a relationship, with McCrary’s bold vocals the true focal point for the song.

“Meds” is a melancholy lament founded on sweet but slightly bland vocals from Lee Ann Womack. Chocolate Genius’ cover of “Dang Me” has a distinctly soul edge which seems slightly incongruous.

“Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie” with deep vocals from Marc Ribot is dark, edgy and a little on the raw side. “That’s The Way Love Goes” is sweet and tender with finely honed vocals from Shawn Colvin.The instrumental version of “Freight Train” comes across as light and charming, yet thoroughly accomplished.

Ultimately, this is a very mild album, and I couldn’t help but wish that things would spice up occasionally. All the same, the tracks are fairly easy to listen, with nothing too unpleasant in the way of instrumentals or vocals, apart from a slight want of pizzazz.

Album Track List:
1. Cattle Call (Buddy Miller sings)
2. No Good Lover (Buddy Miller & Ann McCrary sing)
3. I Want To Be With You Always (Buddy Miller & Patty Griffin sing)
4. Barres De La Prison (Marc Ribot sings)
5. Meds (Lee Ann Womack sings)
6. Dang Me (Chocolate Genius sings)
7. Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie (Marc Ribot sings)
8. That’s The Way Love Goes (Shawn Colvin sings)
9. Freight Train (Instrumental)
10. Why I’m Walkin’ (Emmylou Harris sings)
11. Why Baby Why (Buddy Miller & Marc Ribot sing)
12. Return To Me (Lee Ann Womack sings)
13. God’s Wing’ed Horse (Buddy & Julie Miller sing)

Review: Victoria Nugent

More articles by Victoria Nugent:
* Rocketsmiths “The Bones” – Album Review
* Angus and Julia Stone @ The Tivoli, Brisbane – 25 September 2010 with Luluc – Live Review
* Bonfire Nights “Bonfire Nights” EP Review
* Bec Plath “At The End of the Night” – Single Review
* More article by Victoria Nugent

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SEEKAE +Dome Album launch – April 2011 [Album and Tour News]

  Electronic trio Seekae deliver + Dome, the band’s second offering.
Based in Sydney, Australia, Seekae are made up of members George Nicholas, John Hassell and Alex Cameron. The trio formed in 2006 after a chance meeting and gained original notoriety on Sydney’s live circuit for their own brand of 8 bit electronica.

2008 saw the release of debut album The Sound of Trees Falling on People to critical acclaim. Rolling Stone described the record as “an album that’s as ambient and mesmerizing as an iced-over forest,” along with 5 star reviews, FBI radio crowned the record ‘one of Australian top ten albums of the decade’ and listeners also recognized the band at Sydney’s Music Arts and Culture Awards as Best Live Act.

The album was a move away from their inceptive sound towards what has been described as skirt lifting, ball crushing Ghetto Ambience.

After an incredibly busy few years supporting the praised release, Seekae toured heavily, with the likes of PVT, Broadcast, Cloud Control, Decoder Ring, and Midnight Juggernauts including selling out their own headline nights.

The songwriting speaks for itself, but it is their attention to detail that makes Seekae such a unique and exciting live act to behold, once being described as ‘ an ambient feast of sonic wizardry’ (LIFE MUSIC MEDIA).

2011 holds something new for Seekae. George, John and Alex take +Dome to the stage with impressive live show that boasts live drums, guitars , samplers and synthesizers. They are back to break more ground.

Fusing the 808 and bass heavy club sounds of the new decade and their own familiar brand of electronica, the Sydney three-piece return with their Sophomore release +Dome.

Paying homage to the sound and textures of Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago and London, +Dome blends live instrumentation with electronics and samples collected over two years of performing, touring and writing.

Composing every sound and song with meticulous detail, from sub bass heavy rollers to intricate guitar riddled interludes, Seekae transmit their developed pallet through a long player that is both rhythm orientated and at the same time self reflecting.

It’s percussive, loud and exciting at times – reserved and laid back at others, but every track oozes a warm feeling that could only be described as Seekae.

…………………………………………………

The Sound Of Trees Falling On People, first introduced Seekae’s mastery for creating intricate, beat-driven tunes. +Dome is more than just a follow up, it’s a new beginning.

ALBUM LAUNCH SHOWS
Friday 15 April Woodland Brisbane

Saturday 16 April Manning Bar Sydney

Monday 25 April The Toff Melbourne (Anzac Day public holiday eve)

Gnor by Seekae

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The Belligerents Debut EP Release and National Tour – March/April 2011 [Tour News]


Less Arty More Party - The Belligerents – Less Arty More Party 		  Explosive Brisbane five-piece The Belligerents are set to take their dance frenzied, disco-pop live show on the road for a national tour in March and April to celebrate the release of their much anticipated debut EP Less Arty More Party.

In 2010, the band infused the hearts and dancing shoes of audiences; supporting acts such as Metronomy (UK), Neon Indian (USA), Breakbot (France), Yacht Club DJs, The Paper Scissors and DZ. They blew the minds of festival revellers holding their own alongside the likes of Little Red, Shout Out Louds (Sweden), Regurgitator, Miami Horror, The Jezabels, Dappled Cities, Urthboy, Parades and the John Steel Singers.

The boys have played countless mind-blowing sets on renowned stages and at house parties – occasionally invoking partial nudity. Also in the midst of this wild year, the band got creatively intimate with Brisbane producer Timeshare at Temple Street studio and recorded a deeply charismatic four track EP. Channelling inspiration from Foals, The Rapture and Talking Heads, The Belligerents have crafted an entrancing musical work of art suitable for any party.
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The Waifs – New Album and National Tour


The Waifs – The Waifs		   “Where do we take it from here?” sings Vikki Thorn on Day Dreamer, one of the most uplifting moments on The Waifs’ extraordinary sixth album, Temptation, in store March 4th independently through Jarrah Records (the label The Waifs co-own with John Butler) and MGM Distribution.

It’s a question the much-loved Australian band has asked itself several times in the 19 years since Thorn, her sister Donna Simpson and guitarist Josh Cunningham set off on their incredible journey.

Continue reading The Waifs – New Album and National Tour →

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Social Distortion – Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes [CD Review]

Review: Ben Hosking

  Social Distortion has managed to create an aura around themselves over the last three decades that has placed them into the realms of punk rock royalty. Perhaps it’s the ice cool, slicked hair, hotrodder image of Mike Ness but more likely it has more to do with the band’s uncanny knack for writing sweet, sweet country-infused, rockabilly punk rock.

It’s been a number of years between drinks for ‘Social Distortion. Their last album was 2004’s ‘Sex, Love and Rock’N’Roll’ – a stunning disc that no doubt left the guys wondering if they could ever top

themselves. The extended pause could also be the result of Mike Ness’ various other distractions like the aforementioned custom cars and his other musical projects including the awesome countrified Mike Ness Band.
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Veteran Hard Rockers KING KOBRA Announce New Album

  Veteran Hard Rockers King Kobra are back with a venomous new album

Frontiers Records has announced the release of the Self-Titled come back album from KING KOBRA on April 15th in Europe and May 5th in North America.

Formed in 1984 by legendary drummer Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart, Ozzy Osbourne), Los Angeles heavy metal outfit King Kobra recorded two critically acclaimed albums for Capitol Records – the 1985 release ‘Ready to Strike’ and 1986’s ‘Thrill of a Lifetime‘.

Along with Carmine, the band featured four relatively unknown musicians at the time – David Michael-Philips and Mick Sweda on guitar, Johnny Rod on bass and Mark Free on lead vocals. King Kobra toured the U.S., Canada, Europe and Mexico playing shows with Kiss, Iron Maiden, Quiet Riot, Ted Nugent, Queensryche and Autograph.
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