Category Archives: cd

Amanda Palmer Performs the Popular Hits of Radiohead on her Magical Ukulele


– Amanda Palmer		 “Amanda Palmer Performs the Popular Hits of Radiohead on her Magical Ukulele” 2.0 is on sale via
Bandcamp.

On July 20th, Amanda Palmer and her business collective – Sean Francis, Beth Hommel, and Hayley Rosenblum (lovingly dubbed “Team Chaos”) – released “Amanda Palmer Performs the Popular Hits of Radiohead on her Magical Ukulele” via Bandcamp to remarkable success. This was Palmer’s first experimental digital-and-vinyl only release independent of a record label, and strong proof that Palmer’s vision of “moving towards a patronage society” is indeed a workable – and profitable – solution for unsigned mid-level bands.

Available for a minimum donation of 84 cents (to cover Radiohead’s royalties and PayPal fees), the EP sold more than $15,000 worth in downloads and merchandise in under three minutes, but it didn’t stop there. Several different “bundle options” (including 450+ vinyl/t-shirt/button bundles, 100 packages that included hand-painted ukuleles, a one-on-one call with Amanda and more) and one thousand limited-edition vinyl LPs were sold out in under 24 hours. Less than a week later, all but one of the highest-end packages are gone.

The demand for vinyl is far more than the team expected & Palmer will be pressing another 1,000 copies – this time on transparent orange vinyl (the first edition of 1,000 were red). When those sell out, Palmer will field the fans’ demand and print another thousand on yellow, then green, going through the colors of the rainbow until they retire the project with a standard black release. The team will also, due to demand, unveil a new collection of bundles (including a new t-shirt design created by a fan, as well as digital download of a new music video of “No Surprises”, live performance footage, and more). In true DIY fashion, should a fan wish to add one of these new items to their pre-existing first-run-orders, Palmer’s team will be facilitating this personally via her message board, Twitter, and e-mail.

“Amanda Palmer Performs the Popular Hits of Radiohead on her Magical Ukulele” 2.0 is on sale via Bandcamp.
Amanda Palmer news & updates Twitter profile, @AFPwire.

Related:

Tour News: Amanda Palmer returns to Australia in 2010
Amanda Palmer @ The Tivoli, 1 March 2009 : Photo Gallery
Who Killed Amanda Palmer? An Interview with the Queen of Punk Cabaret
Amanda Palmer – Returning To The Scene Of The Crime In ‘09

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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 →

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John Butler Trio Launch New Video, Live EP and Tour

  On April 3rd this year, the John Butler Trio took to the stage at the Apple store Sydney to perform an exclusive up close and personal performance for their fans. At the completion of what was an incredible and intimate set the band were elated to share the news that their ‘April Uprising’ album had entered the ARIA albums chart at number one, the band’s third consecutive album to do so.

It is with great pleasure the John Butler Trio announce that outstanding in-store performance is exclusively available as a download from Apple’s iTunes Australia store from Tuesday July 27th. The John Butler Trio Live From Sydney EP features 3 tracks from the ‘April Uprising’ album including the current emotive single ‘Revolution’, the major hit single ‘One Way Road’ and live favourite ‘Johnny’s Gone’ as well as two classic crowd favourites in ‘Better Than’ taken from the ‘Grand National’ album and ‘Zebra’ from the hugely successful ‘Sunrise Over Sea’ album that broke it all wide open for the band worldwide. Continue reading John Butler Trio Launch New Video, Live EP and Tour →

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Long Gone Whistle: The Songs of Maurice Frawley

  Great songs live forever. Whether you write ’em, sing ’em, or just love the stories they tell and the way they make you feel, make no mistake – the great ones will survive the blessed lot of us. Maurice Frawley left scores behind when he departed this world, after a short fight with cancer, in May 2009. To some folks – Paul Kelly, Charlie Owen, Tex Perkins, Tim Rogers, Mick Thomas and Don Walker for instance – plenty were already classics.

Continue reading Long Gone Whistle: The Songs of Maurice Frawley →

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The Amity Affliction – Anchors Away Tour! Aug/Sept 2010


Youngbloods – Youngbloods – The Amity Affliction		   It’s been a busy, tiring and rewarding month for Brisbane hardcore kids The Amity Affliction. Their new album Youngbloods was released on June 18 and debuted at #6 on the National Aria charts, gate-crashing the mainstream and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Eminem, Jack Johnson and Justin Bieber at the top of the pops!

Currently in the home stretch of a gruelling national tour launching Youngbloods at predominantly capital city venues across Australia, The Amity Affliction are looking to

spread the pandemonium to regional fans hungry to see the Brisbane six piece, and are proud to announce The Anchors Tour!
Continue reading The Amity Affliction – Anchors Away Tour! Aug/Sept 2010 →

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CABINS announce debut headline tour – August 2010

Sydney four piece Cabins are delighted to announce their first headlining east coast Australian tour in support of their debut mini album Bright Victory. Continue reading CABINS announce debut headline tour – August 2010 →

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Dweezil Zappa “Return of the son of…” – Album Review

Review: Hannah Collins


Dweezil – Dweezil Zappa 		  Ian Donald Calvin Euclid, AKA Dweezil Zappa, paramount rock guitar legend, composer, actor and more, has released to the public a new work. A two disc composition, of the most insane “lounge” music I’ve ever heard! There’s not much in the title, yet “Dweezil Zappa, return of the son of…” is an exciting, entailing and esoteric ride from the opening riff to Dweezil’s “Thank you people good night” that outs the last entry. Unfortunately for Dweezil, the shadow cast by his Father has followed him throughout the duration of his 30+ year musical career, still keeping DZ in somewhat of a box like a tight cast actor. Return of the son of is no exception, and is more of an expansion, addition and extortion of some his fathers earlier works, than an

individuals attempt at breaking the mould. Charismatic although it is, and had me giggling my way through the first listen; all two and half hours of it! Whether listening while driving in the car or sitting or the lounge, the moment my attention waned (which others may relate to during the elongated jazz progressions linking sections of verse) I’d be hit with another installment of a completely off the wall story, that began to make some sense by the end of the piece. Continue reading Dweezil Zappa “Return of the son of…” – Album Review →

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Blue King Brown “Worldwize” Album Review

Review By Jose Eduardo Cruz

  After what has seemed like an eternity, almost four years, Blue King Brown finally drop a new album. The wait was definitely worth it because instead of one album BKB dropped two albums. Northside, a roots/reggae dancing compilation. Southside, a dub driven experience.

Recorded in the legendary Jamaican studio Tuff Gong which now houses the Bob Marley museum, this album has the genuine feel of a legitimate modern reggae album. It may have been the surroundings in which it was made or it could just be that BKB have now truly established themselves as international stars.

Continue reading Blue King Brown “Worldwize” Album Review →

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PEARL “Immaculate Little White Fox” – Album Review

Review: Hannah Collins


Little – Little Immaculate White Fox		   If you dig classic rock, and idolise the genre’s greats, you’ll find this album utterly intriguing.

Pearl Aday‘s first solo production brings with it over two decades of influence from some of rocks finest performers. She’s toured with Motley Crue, Meat Loaf, featured with Filter, hung out with Slash and jammed with Jerry Cantrell. Immaculate Little white Fox is full of grungy riffs, classic rock solos, and intricate lyricism. The shifting track listing rolls like waves and is neither stagnant nor boring. Pearls vocal ability, has been rounded and refined over the years, as she’s moved from stage hand to backup singer and finally found her place, as a stage front performer, bringing all her experience together, in her first singular application.

Continue reading PEARL “Immaculate Little White Fox” – Album Review →

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6s & 7s Announce Album Launch Tour

Following a huge album launch in hometown Perth, 6s & 7s will launch their acclaimed debut album Choose The Sentinel Blooze in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide next month.

Catch 6s & 7s on Thursday 26 August at Melt Bar in Sydney, Friday 27 August at The Workers Club in Melbourne, Saturday 28 August at Pure Pop Records in Melbourne, and Sunday 29 August at the Grace Emily Hotel in Adelaide. Continue reading 6s & 7s Announce Album Launch Tour →

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Timothy Carroll “The Deepest Dive” EP Review

Review: Victoria Nugent


Timothy – Timothy Carroll 		  After listening to The Deepest Dive, I couldn’t help but be slightly disappointed, but not because of the quality of the music. Rather, it’s a bit sad to think that this EP will be the last we hear from Timothy Carroll for a while, thanks to his impending move to Sweden.

The Deepest Dive comes a year after the release of Carroll’s debut album For Bread & Circuses and is full of laidback folk tunes, all tying into the theme of change and moving on. It’s a lush listening experience, with the EP boasting exceptionally pretty cover art to boot, taken from a set of French tarot cards.

Continue reading Timothy Carroll “The Deepest Dive” EP Review →

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Bryan Ferry Announces New Studio Album ‘Olympia’

BRYAN FERRY’S NEW STUDIO ALBUM ‘OLYMPIA’ WILL BE RELEASED ON VIRGIN RECORDS ON OCTOBER 22, PRECEDED BY THE SINGLE “YOU CAN DANCE” ON AUGUST 6.

THE ALBUM FEATURES MUSICAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM NILE RODGERS, DAVID GILMOUR, GROOVE ARMADA, SCISSOR SISTERS, MARCUS MILLER, FLEA, MANI AND JONNY GREENWOOD. IT ALSO SEES BRYAN FERRY REUNITED ON RECORD WITH MEMBERS OF ROXY MUSIC, INCLUDING BRIAN ENO. Continue reading Bryan Ferry Announces New Studio Album ‘Olympia’ →

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John 5 “The Art of Malice” CD Review

Review: Ben Hosking
While ‘The Art of Malice’ is an instrumental album; you probably don’t need to be a guitarist to know who John 5 is. John 5 has played guitar for Marilyn Manson and is the current axeman in Rob Zombie’s band. Rubbing shoulders with two of the freakiest dudes in modern rock/metal surely goes some way to explaining John 5’s compulsion to shave his eyebrows and apply the face paint.

The Art of Malice is John 5’s third solo effort and shows the country-infused chicken-pickin’ shredder continuing to expand his chops and grow as a songwriter. Where ‘Requiem’ and Songs for Sanity affirmed his place in the pantheon of interesting and intense guitar instrumentalists, ‘The Art…” will go a long way to securing his position as an equally interesting songwriter as well.
Continue reading John 5 “The Art of Malice” CD Review →

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Steve Vai “Where the Other Wild Things Are” CD Review

Review: Ben Hosking

  Being a huge Steve Vai fan, it’s hard to confess that we reckon the Great One’s latest CD falls a little flat. A live CD, recorded at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, the vibe of the whole album leaves you feeling a little unsatisfied.

As usual, the performances are perfect – Vai’s choice of backing musician is always spot on. The set list was well paced; including classics like ‘The Audience is Listening’, ‘Liberty’ and ‘For the Love of God’ from his groundbreaking 1990 album ‘Passion and Warfare’. But for the most part, it all just feels a little dead.

Continue reading Steve Vai “Where the Other Wild Things Are” CD Review →

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Melvins “The Bride Screamed Murder” LP Review

Review: Lana Harris

  More than 25 years making music, the Melvins are credited with influencing scores of bands (including Nirvana and Soundgarden) but no one sounds just like them. Their creations are grungy, often slow but still powerful and slide into sludgy metal territory occasionally. They have two drummers in what is currently a four member outfit (got to expect a few line up changes in two and a half decades) who have been together for three albums now.

On The Bride Screamed Murder the Melvins are, if not experimental, at the very least non traditional in their music arrangements. There’s never a sense of

bowing to any kind of convention in the music. When voice is used, it’s as an instrument itself, not as a way of conveying opinion or an observation set to music, and they don’t stick to one time signature or tempo. If you’re unprepared for this, the way the songs play out is disorienting. My first listen of The Bride Screamed Murder, particularly the first two tracks, left me wondering what was going on. ‘Evil New War God’ comes to an almost dead stop before changing direction. I thought it had skipped to track three but it was still the same song. Continue reading Melvins “The Bride Screamed Murder” LP Review →

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