Category Archives: cd

The Bank Holidays “Sail Becomes A Kite” CD Review

Review by: Victoria Nugent

  When listening to sophomore album Sail Becomes A Kite by The Bank Holidays, I couldn’t help but smile. The Perth band, made up of Nat Carson and Bekk Crombie on guitar, James Crombie on bass and Stuart Leach on drums, clearly has a talent for producing delightful indie pop. The songs on Sail Becomes A Kite are largely reflective and sweet, with buoyant moments shining through as well. There’s a reason why this band are considered Perth’s pop darlings, producing some amazing, highly enjoyable music.

Continue reading The Bank Holidays “Sail Becomes A Kite” CD Review →

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Midnight Juggernauts make their Lifeblood Flow

  Midnight Juggernauts return with their next single ’Lifeblood Flow’ from their highly acclaimed second album, The Crystal Axis. A dazzling lesson in how electronic-pop should be made, ’Lifeblood Flow’ is like something out of a 70s sci-fi epic – walls of sound and all. With a chorus so immediately affecting, it’s the track that will shape 2010 as Midnight Juggernauts’ biggest year yet.

In just a few week’s time, audiences can catch Midnight Juggernauts at venues across the country supported by Dappled Cities, Canyons and Kirin J Callinan. They’ll play Thursday 12 August at The Gov in Adelaide, Saturday 14 August at The Capitol in Perth, Thursday 19 August at The Forum in Melbourne, Friday 20 August at The Forum in Sydney, and Saturday 21 August at the Hi Fi in Brisbane.

Continue reading Midnight Juggernauts make their Lifeblood Flow →

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Sydney DJ Triky Releases Two New Studio Albums

  Sydney dance DJ Triky has released two new albums, Electric and Filtered.

Electric is the much anticipated third full length album from Triky. The 12 track album carries a high energy sound and is similar to the previous two releases, Tweaked and Permanent Damage, yet goes further with a thumpin’ new set of bass lines and is packed full of FX. With a wide range of tracks, there’s something on here for every dance lover.

Filtered is an exploration in BPM with tracks ranging from 140 to 150 BPM. It’s an innovative 13-track album which takes Triky in a whole new direction.

Continue reading Sydney DJ Triky Releases Two New Studio Albums →

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Grinderman – New Single ‘Heathen Child’ Out August 27

  Heathen Child, the new single from the band Grinderman, will be released on 27th August. The premiere offering from their new studio album Grinderman 2, Heathen Child will be released through Mute with the complete album following on 10th September.

The song Heathen Child cuts a deep seductively heavy groove interjected with dazzling squalls of saw-tooth distortion. It abounds in lyrical imagery at turns lascivious, paranoid, philosophic, absurd and flat out abusive.

The video, vividly directed by long-time collaborator John Hillcoat, brings the ominous sensuality and surreal malevolence of the lyrics to life; but it also demonstrates clear evidence of the fun and imagination Grinderman have working together.
Continue reading Grinderman – New Single ‘Heathen Child’ Out August 27 →

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Five Star Prison Cell “Matriarch” LP Review

Review: Lana Harris


Matriarch – Matriarch 		  Based in Melbourne, Five Star Prison Cell began destroying young people’s hearing in 2005. They’ve since completed an impressive array of tours including supporting Bloodduster in Oz and Dillinger Escape Plan in the US. Matriarch represents the third album for the four piece line up which includes vocalist Adam Glynn, guitarist Mark Holain, bassist Cameron MacDonald and drummer Marc Whitworth.

Their sound is often described as ‘math metal’ (which refers to the group’s use of complex rhythmic structures and structuring songs using unusual time signatures), and the tracks contain a lot of syncopated sounds. But beneath these labyrinthine twists and turns in the songs is enough

good, strong riffage to impress upon those of less technically inclined the fact that Five Star Prison Cell also makes tracks you can bang your head to easily.

As soon as the album starts, you are hit on all sides by the power of drummer Marc Whitworth. He drills the sounds into your mind from every direction simultaneously, forceful, but more layered and interesting than just a wall of sound. The momentum he starts during opening track ‘I Curse This Vessel’ just keeps building until ‘Modus Operandi’, which appears just before mid way on the album. This was the stand out track, a mountain of sound, a blistering explosion that would crack apart even five star cell walls. As it finishes, its hard not to wonder where it could go from there, how the pace could be maintained. Then ‘Paramountain’ begins, and the band takes a step back, providing a space in which to rebuild and change direction, a space whose intro is narrated in Greek.

Having made some room, the second half of the album provides for more appreciation of other band members. This is particularly evident on ‘Loss of Gravitas’ which is a tremendous display of the power of Glynn’s vocals, an exploration in low range growls amidst strong screaming, and also on ‘Forlorn’, which brings MacDonald into the spotlight and strange as it sounds, provided some groove elements to the track, demonstrating the band’s commitment to creating interesting music by doing things differently. Although lyrics throughout are not easily distinguishable, an exception is found in the final track ‘Lamia’ on which the amusing sentiments can easily be deciphered (but they’re not really suitable for printing!). Matriarch was an enjoyable album and one which those not versed in the sub genres of metal can still enjoy as a good dose of satisfyingly heavy music.

Matriarch – Matriarch – Five Star Prison Cell

Related:
Dillinger Escape Plan + Maylene and the Sons of Disaster @ The Hi Fi, Brisbane 25 May 2010 [Live Review]
Review: Dillinger Escape Plan @ The Metro Theatre – Friday May 21, 2010
Interview: Ben Weinman – The Dillinger Escape Plan
Audio Interview: Ben Weinman – The Dillinger Escape Plan *The Audio version*
The Dillinger Escape Plan – Australian Tour – May 2010 (TOUR DETAILS)

The Dillinger Escape Plan – Buy: The Dillinger Escape Plan from iTunes


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Charlie Mayfair “Watch My Hands” EP Review

Review: Lauren Sherritt
Ever craved some beautifully crafted music comprised of gently soaring harmonies and dainty whimsy, yet with a mature touch to the sound and lyrics? Well, Brisbane pop-folk band Charlie Mayfair, and its first offering, EP Watch My Hands, may just become your new addiction.

Forming only in January this year, Charlie Mayfair are set to make themselves heard around Australia after bursting out on the Brisbane scene over the past six months.
Continue reading Charlie Mayfair “Watch My Hands” EP Review →

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Dan Parsons – “Firestarter” LP Review

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Review: Lana Harris


Dan – Dan Parsons		   When writing about music, there’s a variety of words to use in order to avoid saying ‘song’ over and over again. For the most part, these words are interchangeable – the exact meaning matters little. Dan Parsons’ music took exception to this and the word ‘ditty’ just kept springing to mind. The exact meaning of ‘ditty’ is a short simple song, a poem intended to be sung, and this description fits his musical style like a ripped pair of skinny jeans fits indie pop.

The tracks on Firestarter are all short pop numbers, hanging around the three minute mark and taking inspiration from the catalogue of relationship

experiences that pop loves to work with. Parsons’uses a reflective, ruminative style to shape his words, which invoke images from the time of life found in the space after school, drifting past innocence but having not yet arrived anywhere else.
Continue reading Dan Parsons – “Firestarter” LP Review →

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Rolo Tomassi – “Cosmology” [CD Review]

  Review: Ben Hosking

For the uninitiated, young UK group Rolo Tomassi (named after a character from the movie LA Confidential) is a scary listening experience. Hell, they’re still a scary listen even after a few rotations of their 2008 debut album ‘Hysterics’.

Fronted by diminutive blonde ingénue Eva Spence, the group play what has been affectionately termed as punk-jazz, whilst on occasion thrown in with the mathcore crowds.

Continue reading Rolo Tomassi – “Cosmology” [CD Review] →

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Blame Ringo – “At The In-Between” [Single Review]

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Review by: Victoria Nugent

  Blame Ringo’s new single At The In-Between is one of those songs that sneaks into your head, and has you singing along before you know it. The energetic track is a tantalising glimpse of things to come on the band’s second album, due out later this year.

At The In-Between is an upbeat slice of indie rock with harmonious, yet catchy lyrics and a sound almost reminiscent of the sixties. The guitar riffs are impressive, and the drumming strong, resulting in the kind of song that makes you want to stop and listen.

Continue reading Blame Ringo – “At The In-Between” [Single Review] →

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Jez Mead “Beard of Bees” [LP Review]

Review: Lana Harris

  What deal did Jez Mead make with the devil to get that voice? He certainly didn’t trade his finger picking abilities (his mastery of the guitar is evident in this diverse mix of tracks), but the man surely gave up something for a voice that soars across octaves, that swings from gravel to whisper to a full blown resonance that seems to take up real, tangible space in the room. Beard of Bees is Jez Mead’s fourth recorded offering to the world, and a record that uses his vocal gift (no matter how it was acquired) to deliver a striking set of songs.

Let’s begin at the end: the last song on this album

was the best. A gorgeous, chilled out track called ‘Crooked’ was a resplendent way to finish, with slow chords and soulful crooning and Jez humming low and full, a honey coated vibration that left goose bumps in its wake (and was not the only track to do so). ‘Devil’ (featuring Julia Stone as Mead’s duet partner) is similarly slow and haunting, a love song which includes such lyrical blues gems as ‘Devil wants my blood for making whisky’. Continue reading Jez Mead “Beard of Bees” [LP Review] →

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LITTLE RED “Rock It” Single and Tour Dates – July 2010

Melbourne melodicists Little Red have delivered the first single, ‘Rock It’, from their highly anticipated second album – and the response has been overwhelming. Premiered on Triple J’s breakfast show at the end of last week, the song has been on repeat rotation over recent days and has instantly received an official rotation add from the station.

Taken from the as-yet-untitled sophomore album (due out this September on Liberation Records), the song marks a cleaner, more hi-fi sound that was brought to life in collaboration with producer Scott Horscroft (The Temper Trap, The Presets, Silverchair). ‘Rock It’ is party music of the best kind: warm, infectious, straightforward and unadorned. It is the sound of a band moving even further toward a sound entirely their own, blurring their influences as they do the decades of classic pop they draw from.

Meanwhile, the band has announced a return to the live arena with a series of Rock It single launches around the country throughout July, culminating with a prime slot at the massive Splendour in the Grass festival. The lads have been one of the country’s most loved live acts ever since their emergence of a few years back, and it is standard practice that these shows will be a non-stop party of energy, huge melodies and good times. Fans will also hear the band premiering a selection of brilliant new songs from the forthcoming album. Tickets are sure to go quickly, so don’t hesitate.

The band’s next immediate step is London as they jet off to the UK this weekend to perform at next week’s Musexpo conference in London, as well as performing additional showcases over the following week. Their debut Listen to Little Red, a Top 30 hit at home, also received critical acclaim in the UK and anticipation is certainly high for these return shows.

‘Rock It’ the new single is OUT NOW on iTunes via Liberation Music.

LITTLE RED TOUR DATES
Tickets on sale now

THU JULY 8 Amplifier – Perth
BUY TICKETS HERE!

FRI JULY 9 Ed Castle – Adelaide
BUY TICKETS HERE!

THU JULY 15 Prince Band Room – Melbourne
BUY TICKETS HERE!
www.princebandroom.com.au

SAT JULY 17 Oxford Art Factory – Sydney
BUY TICKETS HERE!

FRI JULY 30 SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS Woodford – QLD (Sold Out)

www.myspace.com/littleredmusic

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CROW reform and release new album ‘Arcane’

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A good 10 years since disbanding, Sydney’s iconic rock band CROW has … hallelujah … reformed!

Fronted by dual vocalists/guitarists/songwriters, Peter Fenton and Peter Archer … and backed by the fine talents of drummer John Fenton and bassist Jim Woff, CROW makes a long-awaited return with its ORIGINAL line-up.

For those who need a reminder, throughout the 90’s, CROW released three critically acclaimed albums – the Aria nominated ‘My Kind Of Pain’ plus the much respected ‘Li-Lo-ing’ and ‘Play With Love’. A favourite to many on the live circuit, a CROW performance could be a “shambolic affair” one minute, and then utterly breathtaking the next… an audience’s interest was never left wanting at a CROW show. They toured with the likes of Jeff Buckley, Nirvana, Sebadoh, Pavement and Sonic Youth amongst others, and were touted as the ‘best band in Australia since The Birthday Party’ (Juice Magazine 1998). After a number of band member replacements, in 1998 they parted ways…much to the disappointment of their legion of fans and the industry alike.

Fast track to 2009, CROW were asked to play as part of the ‘That Was Then, This Is Now’ series at Sydney’s Factory Theatre with HOSS. Re-igniting the fire in their belly, and re-kindling a passion for the CROW sound, the band played a couple more shows before going onto record a new album, their fourth, at Sydney’s Cad Factory in Marrickville. Mixed by Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil), ‘Arcane’ sees the band back in truly excellent form…some will argue “Best form”. In the immortal words of Mr Moginie, “Arcane by Crow is a bloody good record…Bands that retire early or fade off into the glorious Australian sunset prematurely can return with a vengeance, in this case a song led recovery and not a once round the block cash in/ hypefest. Dark and soulful music such as this, intelligently done and strongly and imaginatively delivered will always win the hearts and minds.”

In Peter V Fenton’s words, “We are immensely proud of this record. It feels more a culmination to us than a mere return to the service of rock! The songs are alongside some of the best that we have ever released and personally, we feel, as a band, stronger and more in tune with each other than ever.”

CROW – ARCANE is out June 18 through Nonzero/Shock Records.

Stay tuned for tour news…

www.myspace.com/crowcrowcrowyourboat

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Annihilator – “Annihilator” [CD Review]

Review: Ben Hosking

  With the seemingly never-ending list of 1980’s bands reuniting over the last 10 years or so, all trying to recapture some of their former glory; it’d be easy to dismiss Canadian thrash legends Annihilator as just another in the line. However, founder member Jeff Waters and company never actually left and have been producing quality metal the entire time; unlike many of their fallen brethren.

That said, this – their 13th studio album to date – easily qualifies as their finest effort in the last 20 years or so. A self-titled album, ‘Annihilator’ is brimming with speedy, precise riffage that

effortlessly melds old-school thrash with more modern technical metal that will surely have you damaging neck muscles in the bedroom, car or public transport.
Continue reading Annihilator – “Annihilator” [CD Review] →

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TERRY BROCK 2nd solo album “Diamond Blue”

Napoli, June 2010 – Frontiers Records will release on August 27th in Europe and September 14th in the USA “Diamond Blue”, the anticipated second solo album from the gifted singer Terry Brock. Best known as current vocalist in the Melodic Rock titans Giant, Terry has also recently announced to rejoin Strangeways, the legendary British AOR band that launched his name in the spotlight in the late 80’s, for the recording of a brand new album. Continue reading TERRY BROCK 2nd solo album “Diamond Blue” →

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Jez Mead “Beard Of Bees” out soon

  Mead is your quintessential musical journeyman, travelling the country from the east to the west coast and everywhere else in between, gigging at pubs, clubs, venues and festivals. Another gig, another town – such has been the troubadour life of Jez Mead for the past 10 years. Playing his own brand of blues folk fusion with an acute pop sensibility, Mead clocks up the clicks (50,000 last year alone), listens to endless old school cassettes and has amassed life experiences that all have been translated into an album of ingenious purity and startling beauty.

Continue reading Jez Mead “Beard Of Bees” out soon →

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