The variation of influences throughout The Exploders second LP, Easy and the Sun, are easily identifiable not only by a familiar feel of all that was good of the 70’s to the current era’s commercially successful rock songs, but also a nice harmonised original approach to certain tracks that only enhance the listening experience.

This album is a well balanced mix of raunchy rock, roll and pop with a splash of tailored grunge. The first four tracks, for me, were the most outstanding.

‘Little Summer Dress’ is a feel good song, bringing back the innocence and boppiness of the early Beatles era.

‘Straight Ahead’ with its well grooved bass riffs, tightly woven lead riffs and fast pasted lyrics will leave you pumped. If you’re after an in-your-face, attitude levels to the max, Rock, Roll, Jump and Shout experience then look no further.

With adrenalin pumping, ‘Cola’ delivers a steady paced catchy song that safely delivers you back, but not too softly, to the ground.

‘Blueberry Lane – for me, a five minute journey spanning a number of emotions. This is due to the many characteristic changes e.g, driving verse, floating chorus, raunchy guitar interlude and more!

There are enough hooks (but not too many) to promote a few songs to commercial airplay – and rightly so, the well crafted punchy songs, in my book, are a winner.

Reviewed for:  TheDwarf.com.au

Lifting Matt Banham to new heights in musical expression is his 6-piece band No Though Road. Hailing from Adeliade, No Through Road comprises of Matt Banham, Steph Crase, Nic Datson, Marcin Kobylecki, Steve Banham and Ianto Ware.

The album “Too Much or Not Enough” offers twenty, yep that’s right, twenty tracks. 12 tracks are the main CD while we are also given 8 BONUS tracks. So, depending on your musical tastes, this will either be too much or not enough. With this many songs, spanning a year and a half of recordings, you can expect the unexpected. From numbers that offer high energy, get up and dance, to forelorn ballads and some unexpected, surprising off-beat diversions.

A number of songs from this album including “Die For Something” have been doing the rounds on radio stations throughout Australia and rightly so. But, I want more! I’d like to see added to station’s playlists – “I Want You”, “Crush this Town” and “The Next Bob Dylan”. These songs totally rock! “I Want You” is more of a soft rock ballad, but boppy none-the-less. Both “Crush This Town” and “The Next Bob Dylan” are a faster paced – in your face – tracks that would have all punters jumping.

Track 7 – Die for something starts off with recorders (reminding me of “here we come just a marching down the street”) then quickly moves to raw energy then to 60’s psychodelica – excellent.

Another surprise on the album was the last track (21) “She is only in your DREAMS.” It sounds like the band started partying hard prior to recording this. I have heard similar songs (if that’s what you can call them) at parties where everyone has partaken of copious quantities of alcohol. I think the word I’m looking for is cacophony.

Overall, to sum up, the re-incarnation of Matt Banham into No Through Road, with his unique artistic view of the world can only strengthen his foothold in the Australian Music Industry.

Revied for: TheDwarf.com.au

The Mares – Love billows from my soul to consume you splendid people as an avalanche does a mountain….. Now that’s a mouth full and a half. I think that in itself is a record – the longest name for an EP ever.

The beginning of the first song ‘Biscuit Tin’ reminds me of the song ‘Echo Beach’ by Martha and the Muffins. This of course, soon changes to the darker side – maybe to Goth Graveyard.

‘Silver Scream’ offers an electric, hard driven yet refreshingly upbeat song that deserves air play and is sure to get the populace up and jumping. J must have been wearing tighter pants to hit some of the notes that he sings, but, all in all – I LIKE IT !

‘New Day’ is my favourite of the five songs. Even though it starts off dark, this song is the only one on the EP that offers hope of life after the EP – it will make you nod your head, tap your feet and generally feel good.

‘Feel’ – What can I say to this? The lyrics are dark, the mood is dark, the music is dark. After listening to the EP fifteen times or so, you get a feel for the dark side of life.

‘Copilot’ – the grungy undertones, favored with resonating guitar bring this song together to form another dark, slightly unhinged mood. I swear that if I was on drugs I would enjoy this immensely.

After days of listening to this EP I feel that I have been (with tongue in cheek) enlightened to the Dark Side.

Seriously, this EP offers a great cross section of punk, grunge, rock and pop. Go out and buy it. Listen to it at least 50 times and you’ll never get it out of your head. Like me, you will be totally wowed.

 Review for:  Thedwarf.com.au