Tag Archives: album

Moniters announce debut single ‘Exit The System’ & Official Launch Dates

Meet The Moniters – a sub indie dirty electro-rock 3 piece from Brisbane, Australia.


The Moniters – ‘Exit the System’
  The story so far is a fairly organic one: Comprising of frontman Jimi Lucas, drummer Matt Schrader and bassist Barney Gickel, the three band members met at a Killers concert when Jimi and Matt ran into Barney whom Matt already knew through some session work that they’d both collaborated on a few years earlier. They began demoing ideas up at Jimi’s place, with Jimi and Barney laying down ideas over sampled drums which Matt would then make his

changes across the top of. Once they had enough tracks together, they sent the demo’s down to Melbourne based producer Forrester Savell (Dead Letter Circus, Birds of Tokyo). Forrester, loving the tracks, asked the band to fly down to record them with him at sing sing south studios. Titled “Sex City Lovers” their resulting debut Ep is scheduled for 2011 release.
Continue reading Moniters announce debut single ‘Exit The System’ & Official Launch Dates

Blame Ringo “In A Hurricane” – Single Review

Review: Ben Connolly
Brisbane band Blame Ringo is a band steeped in its own curio past, to the point of it almost being written off as a comic band. The name itself, and the mileage the group got over the official rebuke from Ringo Starr over its previous name, set it up early on as a tongue-in-cheek piss-take. They followed that through with curious film clip for single “Garble Arch” off its first long player – which became a bona fide Youtube viral phenomena – and then a cute tour concept of playing in laundromats; an audience would be forgiven for thinking this band’s interest was firmly in taking the mickey, rather than solid songwriting. And there would be nothing wrong with that; there are plenty of decent and long-lived acts in this land and abroad who could stake their claim firmly in piss-takery, whilst still holding credible assertions of musicianship (think The Fauves, TISM or, further afield, The Duckworth Lewis Method).
Continue reading Blame Ringo “In A Hurricane” – Single Review

Soilwork “The Panic Broadcast” – LP Review

Review: Lana Harris


SoilworkSoilwork
  Helsingborg? Where the Helsingborg is that? Turns out this Swedish town is the fertile ground where Soilwork first plied their craft. Soilwork (both the name and the band’s philosophy) represents commitment and determination. Building from the roots of things and seeing them through to fruition via a lot of hard work. More of a biologically based metaphor than the grave digging that initially came to mind when the name ‘Soilwork’ is heard in connection with the words ‘death metal’.

The Panic Broadcast represents Soilwork’s eighth album and is a lesson to others in how to keep the momentum up after several releases. The energy presented could have it confused with an early career offering but the song structure and quality belies the truth: this is a band with extensive

experience in song craft, especially from singer and founding member Bjorn ‘Speed’ Strid.
Continue reading Soilwork “The Panic Broadcast” – LP Review

Crow “Arcane” – LP Review

Review: Lana Harris

  Deep in the American south, legends about crossroads abound. It is said that if you stand at a crossroads and wait there until midnight, a man (or the devil in the guise of a man) will appear who will imbibe you with phenomenal guitar playing abilities (and the women, money and fame that come with it). All that for the rather reasonable cost of your soul. Nowadays we know that’s not true, because there are plenty of people who have immense amounts of money, sex and fame that got gypped on the talented part.

Continue reading Crow “Arcane” – LP Review

Bonfire Nights “Bonfire Nights” EP Review

Review: Victoria Nugent

  Bonfire Nights are relative newcomers to the Brisbane music scene, but they are truly carving out their own distinct style. Stephen Foster and Ruth Nitkiewicz took the step of joining forces musically earlier this year, with great results. This rocking duo makes music that’s a little bit different from the usual indie pop fare, with great boy girl vocal dynamics, switching with ease between slow harmonic pop and no holds barred indie rock.

“Own Worst Enemy” is pure dark rock, full of low, dirty-sounding intonations, edgy guitar riffs, a short

eerie intro and punchy vocals. “Leave Yourself Open” is slower with great harmonies between Foster and Nitkiewicz, with harmonica woven into almost hypnotic instrumentals. Continue reading Bonfire Nights “Bonfire Nights” EP 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

How to Destroy Angels [EP] – CD Review

Review: Ben Hosking

  It didn’t take Trent Reznor long to begin making music again after shutting the doors on Nine Inch Nails last year. In fact, news was already surfacing about his new project around the time of his marriage to Mariqueen Maandig in October of 2009. The newlyweds didn’t just join in holy matrimony – they joined in musical harmony as well, forming How to Destroy Angels (HTDA), together with programmer/producer Atticus Ross (Korn/NIN/Coheed and Cambria).

Trent is no stranger to forward-thinking when it comes to the release and promotion of his music. 2005’s ‘With Teeth’ was streamed on NIN’s

MySpace page before its release and 2007’s ‘Year Zero’ saw Reznor creating elaborate ‘alternate reality’ games that fell in line with the concept of the album and leaked several tracks into the world prior to the album’s release. ‘Ghosts I-IV’ and NIN’s final album ‘The Slip’ were both offered as free downloads on the band’s website as well as part of deluxe physical limited-edition packages with phenomenal success.
Continue reading How to Destroy Angels [EP] – CD 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.
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Juke Kartel Hit the Road with Slash & A New Album

  Juke Kartel are excited to announce their 2010 return to their home ground of Australia. This will be in conjunction with the launch of their new album ‘LEVOLUTION’ – due for release August 20. JK will be debuting the first single off of the CD called “The Sign” with dates around the country, including support dates with Slash.

‘LEVOLUTION ‘ has been recorded with leading producer Brian Virtue who is responsible for albums – 30 Seconds to Mars, Jane’s Addiction and Velvet Revolver and who is also responsible for 6 of the new sounds featured on this new recording. The new album features six previously released songs off Juke Kartel’s record “Nowhere Left to Hide” which have been remixed by Dan Korneff (My Chemical Romance, Cavo, etc). Remixed for US radio, the band wanted to give their loyal fan base back home a taste of where their sound is headed with these tracks before hitting officially releasing in the United States. Continue reading Juke Kartel Hit the Road with Slash & A New Album

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.

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

Review: Hannah Collins


DweezilDweezil 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

THE HOLIDAYS August Tour & Debut Album Release

Double-Pass Giveaway! We have double passes up for grabs to the ‘Hazy Shade Of Winter’ tour – Sydney and Melbourne shows! … See below for details.

The Holidays   Following the release of their new single ‘Golden Sky’, Sydney’s The Holidays will be hitting the road again this August for a series of East Coast shows.

The line up for the ‘Hazy Shade Of Winter’ tour also consists of Brisbane’s Hungry Kids of Hungary and New Zealand’s Artisan Guns.

Continue reading THE HOLIDAYS August Tour & Debut Album Release

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

Timothy Carroll “The Deepest Dive” EP Review

Review: Victoria Nugent


TimothyTimothy 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