By: Natalie Salvo
They’ve done krautrock, guitar pop, folk-rock and even psychedelia and now Brisbane’s John Steel Singers have added another feather to their caps with, “Weekend Lover”. The single is from their forthcoming third album, Midnight At The Plutonium (named after their record label and studio) and sees a mix of seventies funk and soul.
Continue reading Single Review : The John Steel Singers – Weekend Lover
Tag Archives: Natalie Salvo
Live Review: The Beatle Boys @ State Theatre, Sydney – June 21, 2014
By Natalie Salvo
It was fifty years ago today that Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. Not quite, but it has been that long since The Beatles did their first and only tour of Australia. The tribute band, The Beatle Boys would recreate their 1964 set as well as play another full set of classics, favourites and some obscure songs at the State Theatre. It proved to be one fun night and respectful tribute to the Fab Four.
The first act went for just 35 minutes but this was how long a headline act would typically perform for in 1964. The concert started with video containing black and white archive footage from the Australian tour when Beatlemania was in full force. From there, The Beatle Boys (John Kater as Paul, Christopher Lee Frazer as John, Rodney Auld as George and Michael Brady as Ringo) launched into the chugging pop of “I Saw Her Standing There”.
Continue reading Live Review: The Beatle Boys @ State Theatre, Sydney – June 21, 2014
Live Review: Stone Music Festival Day 2 – ANZ Stadium, Sydney – April 21, 2013
By Natalie Salvo
If Stone Music Festival’s first day was a salute to rock then day two proved a little more difficult to pigeonhole. The bill included an American piano man, two elder statesmen of Oz music, a new band and two former Australian Idol contestants. I suppose we’ll just have to say that this unlikely grouping meant that this was a celebration of music, pure and simple.
L.A. band, Illumination Road is a duo that was making their worldwide, live debut. The pair had three additional musicians on hand and they played rock music which took its reference points from some of the greats from the golden period in the sixties and seventies. “What We Say” closed the set and had a decent tune and with time these guys look poised to be ones to watch.
Continue reading Live Review: Stone Music Festival Day 2 – ANZ Stadium, Sydney – April 21, 2013
Live Review: Stone Music Festival Day 1 – ANZ Stadium, Sydney – April 20, 2013
By Natalie Salvo
Sydney was wet and it wasn’t David Lee Roth’s fault. Saturday morning had seen the heavens open again and again but rock ain’t about being comfortable and a little water never killed anyone. On day one of the inaugural Stone Music Festival, guitar heroes were king and no one was going to let a few showers rain on their musical parade.
A small but dedicated crowd watched LA Band, Buckcherry make their Sydney debut. They ploughed through hard rock songs like “Rescue Me” while “Gluttony” saw the rock ‘n’ roll forced up to 11. Lead singer, Josh Todd closed the set by asking how many crazy b**ches were in the house and it warmed my heart to see people getting into the spirit of the fest (i.e. “celebrating music, life and freedom”) by hollering about the deranged.
Continue reading Live Review: Stone Music Festival Day 1 – ANZ Stadium, Sydney – April 20, 2013
Ladytron – Gravity The Seducer | Album Review
Review by Natalie Salvo
By now fans of Ladytron will be well-acquainted with their parallels to Roxy Music. The English quartet were named after the latter’s song; two members once posed as Roxy-like pinups for their remix album “Softcore Jukebox”; and there are certainly elements of the glam pop sound permeating their music. But while the group had previously aligned aspects of themselves with the latter’s frontman, Bryan Ferry, on album number five, “Gravity The Seducer” they seem to be taking a leaf out of his former bandmate’s book (and later solo work), i.e. Brian Eno and his famed atmospherics.
Continue reading Ladytron – Gravity The Seducer | Album Review
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
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…
Related:
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 |
Amanda Palmer Performs the Popular Hits of Radiohead on Her Magical Ukulele – EP Review
Review: Natalie Salvo
 There are some people out there who’d readily agree that the words “Radiohead” and ukulele should never be uttered in the same sentence. Not so if you’re Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls and Evelyn Evelyn fame. There was the potential for Palmer’s covers EP to be career suicide or simply oh-so-bad as diehard purists murmur things about sacred cows and masterpieces best left untouched but in her hands it is simply a collection reflecting her own effervescent personality – it’s full of theatrics, a DIY attitude and is brimming with creativity.
It is fitting that this is also Palmer’s first release after a less than amicable split with her record label. She adopted a Radiohead-esque user-pays-what-they-like system (save the 84 cent donation to cover administrative costs like filling Radiohead and PayPal’s coffers). But ultimately Palmer is the one that’s laughing after selling $15,000 worth of merchandise in the first three minutes of sale, in what was a perfect way to stick it to the former label and celebrate her newfound freedom and independence. |
The Magic Numbers “The Runaway” – Album Review
Review: Natalie Salvo
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They say you can pick your friends but you can’t choose your family, so where does that leave a group like The Magic Numbers? The band is made of two lots of brother and sister pairings (Sean & Angela Gannon and Romeo & Michele Stodart for those playing along). They first entered the limelight back in 2005 when they released a successful eponymous debut. The following year would see “Those The Brokes” dropped with breakneck speed but it would also cause the group friction, both familial and otherwise. Now at album number three, “The Runaway”, the quartet initially had to take some time out (read: pursue side projects and make guest appearances) before they could regroup refreshed and ready. |
Continue reading The Magic Numbers “The Runaway” – Album Review
The Drums “The Drums” – EP Review
Review: Natalie Salvo
The Drums are a young band from New York City who – like The Strokes before them – received a lot of hype very early on. But as their debut EP, Summertime! And now eponymous debut album have proved, this indie pop quartet are more about basking in the sunlit glow of a California beach than being inspired by yellow cabs or shopping on fifth avenue.
The guys ooze retro cool and like Peter Hook’s bass playing in Joy Division and New Order, their sound makes an immediate impact gaining your attention quickly with its old-yet-fresh style. But it seems this quality is also the group’s pitfall because when spread out over 12 songs, it becomes too repetitively simple and the buzz does tend to wear off a little. Like summer itself, you miss it when it’s gone but after enough humid 40+ degree days you can’t wait for winter or at the very least, autumn.
Continue reading The Drums “The Drums” – EP Review
Midnight Juggernauts “The Crystal Axis” – CD Review
Review: Natalie Salvo
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Batten down the hatches, the Midnight Juggernauts ‘difficult’ second album, The Crystal Axis appears to be anything but that. Instead, it uses analogue harmony walls and experimentation aplenty to craft 12 striking tracks (well 11 plus an overture) with a destination of the sun’s core. Onboard we journey via new tangents and those crazy panoramic retro screens of old.
The trio employed a lot of live experimentation to get here. The jams err on the side of prog rock and spaced-out sonic landscapes. They billeted together in a remote and isolated house on the NSW |
coast with only synthesisers, keys, guitars, drums, racks of pedals and other electronic gizmos for company. The jams even found their way into the recording process and at times this adds a unique character to the music, while at other moments feels as though a bit too much fat was left on the bone.
Continue reading Midnight Juggernauts “The Crystal Axis” – CD Review
Junip “Fields” – Album Review
Review: Natalie Salvo
If ever there was a group that embodied the spirit of quality over quantity, then Junip’s it.
The trio – made up of José González (vocals, guitars), Elias Araya (drums) and Tobias Winterkorn (keys) – have released a few singles and EPs; taken a 5-year break (where the former toured his solo work); and are now on the verge of releasing their debut album, Fields. It took a lot of effort to get here (although it was by no means the longest spell – Guns N’ Roses anyone?) but in this case people will declare it was a labour of love well worth the wait.
González and Araya have been making music together since they were 14, having started creative life as a hardcore group. In 2010 they’ve taken a different musical route, improvising together to find song sketches and in particular, looking for beats and guitar patterns that stood out for their overall groove and melody. The result is 11 nu-folk and pop songs borne out of patience, perfectionism, inspiration and sheer bloody mindedness.
Continue reading Junip “Fields” – Album Review
Goodnight Owl “Goodnight Owl” – EP Review
Review: Natalie Salvo
Goodnight Owl started life in a bedroom, graduated to various recording studios and a church in Melbourne, and the result is a folktronica quartet content on blurring the lines between musical genres. Peel away the layers and you have five songs on a self-titled debut EP that have too many ambient noises and electronic beats to be strictly pop, yet also boast too many tender, heartfelt moments to be strictly the former.
The group have been likened to The Postal Service, Sigur Ros, Bon Iver and Band of Horses and they admit their music can take you in one of two directions. Like being faced with a road less travelled, on the one hand there is the promise of the embrace of the dawn while the alternative is an adventure into the dark
Continue reading Goodnight Owl “Goodnight Owl” – EP Review
Darren Hanlon “I Will Love You At All” – Album Review
Review: Natalie Salvo
Darren Hanlon, the musical raconteur from Gympie is back with his fourth studio album, “I Will Love You At All”. For this record, this citizen of the world wrote his songs in many exciting locations from Paris to Coonabarabran (it’s in NSW people, look it up!)
At it’s essence we’re taken on a journey with a wistful and heartfelt traveler via ten songs full of gentle longing, aching reminiscence and nostalgia. Produced by Adam Selzer (M Ward, She & Him, The Decemberists), it features musical assistance from Rachel Blumberg (Bright Eyes, M Ward, She & Him, The Decemberists); longtime collaborator, Cory Gray on keys; and the velvety, feminine vocals of Shelley Short and Alia Farah.
On Hanlon’s self-proclaimed “mature” record, we seem him again showcase his trademark, homely crafts with great skill and virtuosity. The talented wordsmith is at it again with his lyrical interplay and word games, but this time around things are a tad subtler. He still spins yarns, turning what could be the minutiae of one’s day into if not a revelation that at the very least an amusing aside you’ll want to save up for the next time you want to impress. But there’s no denying that he has toned down his cheeky side. Gone are the really strange pieces of subject matter for the more subdued folk, with perhaps even Hanlon himself realising that he’s getting a little old to be singing love songs about squash, people waving at trains and the like.
Continue reading Darren Hanlon “I Will Love You At All” – Album Review
The Black Keys – “Brothers” [CD Review]
Review: Natalie Salvo
This is a record review about The Black Keys. But you already knew that didn’t you? So while we’re giving you ‘helpful’ but unnecessary statements, “Brothers” is the sixth studio album from the Ohio-based blues-rock duo.
The pair has been rather busy as of late with guitarist, Dan Auerbach dropping a solo album while Patrick Carney produced the aptly titled side project, Drummer. The boys then collaborated with a bunch of rappers for the hip-hop record, Blakroc.
Continue reading The Black Keys – “Brothers” [CD Review]
Live Review: Paul Dempsey, Dan Kelly & His Dream Band and Papa Vs Pretty @ The Metro Theatre, 17 April 2010
By Natalie Salvo
George Street had a long line of Paul Dempsey/Something For Kate fans waiting outside the Metro and eagerly anticipating what is a farewell show (for now) by our favourite enigmatic front man turned solo artist before he embarks on dates in Europe and America. This group were treated for their punctual efforts in the first support act, Papa Vs Pretty.
The trio played frantic guitar rock peppered with interesting harmonies and elements inspired by some of the best bits taken from sixties and seventies pop. Guitarist, Thomas Rawle entertained the pop devotees with his cheery red axe and excellent lead guitar work. The group are still quite young but scream potential as they have all the markings of a silverchair about them. Mark my words – give them a year or two.
Continue reading Live Review: Paul Dempsey, Dan Kelly & His Dream Band and Papa Vs Pretty @ The Metro Theatre, 17 April 2010