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Review: Lana Harris
Zakk Wylde is known as one of the metal world’s best guitar players, particularly |
Continue reading Black Label Society “Order of the Black” – LP Review
Tag Archives: Review
Bec Plath “At The End of the Night” – Single Review
Review: Victoria Nugent
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This soft single is the latest release from Brisbane vocalist Bec Plath, best known for her vocals with local band The Bloodpoets. At The End of The Night follows Plath’s 2009 debut EP Unrequited, and gives a taste of what we can expect from her next EP.
The single starts with a smooth yet strong piano intro with guitar kicking in shortly before Plath’s melodious vocals. During the chorus, Plath’s vocals take on a slightly sharper edge, building in intensity before softening again for the verses. The piano remains a subtle but constant presence throughout the song, which flows effortlessly through key |
changes which add to the track’s originality. Plath’s lyrics are introspective comments about living in a stressful world to which many people would be able to relate. Her vocals are imbued with both honesty and a sense of heart that makes listening seem like a deeply personal act. The music meanders for a while, almost seeming a bit lengthy, before coming to a powerful crescendo towards the end of the track, and then fading out softly. At The End of the Night is a slow-burner with a lot of emotion, and worthy addition to any compilation.
Bec Plath – At The End of the Night is available at iTunes:
– Bec Plath
Related Posts:
CD Review: Bec Plath “Unrequited”
Bastardfest @ The Globe Theatre, Brisbane – 28 August 2010 – Live Review
Click to see more images [Photo: Stuart blythe] |
Review: Hannah Collins
Bringing together some of Australia’s most notable and long standing metal acts; Astriaal , Pod People and Blood Duster ; The Globe Theatre opened their doors on Bastardfest last Saturday to let the shred ignite the stage and appease those curious enough to have been lined in entry. Punters of all shapes and sizes graced the venue and packed the bar, but although The Globe seemed full up, it was more of an illusion caused by the tinned sardines hovering in the foyer when in reality we were quite short of a sell out. Numbers may be have been lacking but it contributed only, to make the experience more personal. |
Continue reading Bastardfest @ The Globe Theatre, Brisbane – 28 August 2010 – Live 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
HELLYEAH! “Stampede” – CD Review
Review: Ben Hosking
 – Hellyeah |
Many metal fans were surprised to see Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott take to the drum stool again after the murder of his brother, Dimebag Darrell Abbott in 2004. He’d famously declared he’d never play again and no one really blamed him either.
However, as early as 2000, a select few members of up and coming metal groups Mudvayne and Nothingface had started making plans to form a supergroup. The initiating members recorded a demo and approached Vinnie Paul about joining. After first declining the offer, he finally joined the band 18 months later; commenting that, “Everybody had their head in the right place and that let’s-tear-the-world-a-new-ass attitude“. |
Jesus Christ Superstar @ Playhouse Theatre, 20th August 2010 – Live Review
Review: Lana Harris
Rocking great guitar riffs fill the sold out venue, slow notes trembling across the grey walls of a ruined cathedral set, preparing the audience to receive the voice of Tod Strike. As Judas, he opens the narrative by launching into ‘Heaven on Their Minds’, a song which allows Strike to demonstrate a truly commanding voice and worthy of one of the lead roles in this production.
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This reimagining of the original production of Jesus Christ Superstar (first performed in 1971) has a pared back, post apocalyptic set that doesn’t change, and puts the focus on the singing, as does the score – which tells the whole narrative by using more than 20 songs to move the story forward. Not a single piece of dialogue is presented without a backing melody. The basic storyline is easy to follow – easier if you’re familiar with the story of Jesus, because even though this is a post apocalyptic version of a musical first performed in the seventies based on an interpretation of a book written centuries ago, the plot is still the basic biblical storyline of Jesus gets famous, Jesus is betrayed by jealous best friend, Jesus is crucified as a result of the backstabber.
The post apocalyptic setting of this tale makes it easy to draw parallels between this and the lives of modern day celebrities. The scenes where the supporting cast forms a mosh pit as Jesus sings boost the resemblance. |
Continue reading Jesus Christ Superstar @ Playhouse Theatre, 20th August 2010 – Live 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
The Boat People “Dear Darkly” – Album Review
Review: Victoria Nugent
 – Dear Darkly – The Boat People |
It’s hard to decide where to start praising The Boat People’s new album, “Dear Darkly”. The well established Brisbane four-piece has produced an album fluent in the art of quirky pop, a nicely eclectic mix of songs.
The album kicks off with the extremely enjoyable “Under the Ocean” with plenty of “ooohs” and floaty-sounding vocals, coupled with some skilled guitar riffs. “Soporific” is one of the album’s most memorable songs with a great beat, tempo shifts and best of all, clever lyrics. I love the song’s use of intellectual sounding words to a catchy tune. “Boy you’re soporific, but is that your fault or mine? Things they used to be terrific, but now they’re barely anodyne.” |
“Echo Stick Guitars” is an amazingly catchy track that starts out with synthesiser and almost robotic sounding high vocals which become loud and chanty for the chorus. The song switches tempo back and forth, showcasing a sound which can only be described as unique. Sure, the lyrics mightn’t always make sense (“Hey champions, hey violins, hey echo stick guitars”) but this shouty pop song had me singing along for the chorus.
“Antidote” is somewhat reminiscent of a Kisschasy love song with its subtle vocals and rolling drums. “Live in The Dark” has a somewhat bold psychedelic sound that’s as complex as it is likeable. “Too Much In My Mind” is an upbeat number with a catchy rhythm, some cutesy synth and fun lyrics about the downside of being too introspective. “Hidden Buses” takes a softer accoustic tone, complete with husky vocals.
Closing out the album, at six minutes long, “You Are Adored” is a musically diverse, romantic (albeit slightly long-winded) ditty that made my heart melt a little bit.
“Dear Darkly” is a fantastic showcase of The Boat People’s scope for diverse, unconventional pop. From the sounds of this album, this band isn’t afraid from playing around with sounds and genres, and that is definitely a good thing.
– Dear Darkly – The Boat People
Related:
Photo Gallery: The Boat People, Ball Park Music, Disco Nap @ The Troubadour, Brisbane – March 2010
CD Review: The Boat People – Echo Stick Guitars
CD Review: The Boat People – Soporific Single
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
Splendour In The Grass 2010 – Festival Review
Review by: Hannah Collins
Another year gone by, another 20 odd festivals down and yet nothing could prepare you for the 3 day onslaught that has been 2010’s annual epicentre of music extravaganza.
SITG photos here…
Splendour In the Grass, is as its name suggests and a culmination of some of the best local and international acts the current mainstream music scene has to offer. Selling out in record time… four months before the gates crashed open on a feature of the most sought after bands on the international circuit; and turning the page on it’ first decade amidst the front line of dramatic competition that encompasses the Australian festival rotation, the Splendour team were proud to announce that for 2010… the overwhelmingly ecstatic crowds could grace Splendours presence in the outlandish setting of Woodfordia, better known as the home of the Woodford folk Festival.
Continue reading Splendour In The Grass 2010 – Festival Review
Goldfrapp @ The Tivoli, Brisbane on 30 July, 2010 – Live Review
Review by: Stephen Goodwin
Click the image to view the photo gallery [Photo: Charlyn Cameron] |
The only thing missing was the mirrorball.
It’s no secret that, since their lush and elegant 2001 debut Felt Mountain, synth-pop act Goldfrapp has embraced an increasingly dancefloor-driven sound. Ninety minutes with the UK five-piece reinforces this transition in a brilliant whirlwind of keytar-driven glam and disco moments that ABBA and Olivia Newton-John might envy. But first, Tim & Jean entertain a slim crowd of earlycomers with a sound that sits squarely at the intersection of the heavily processed drums-guitars-sequencers crossroads long since popularised by the likes of M83. Around the heavy beats, synths blip, bleep, whine and shimmer with the |
Continue reading Goldfrapp @ The Tivoli, Brisbane on 30 July, 2010 – Live Review
Dweezil Zappa “Return of the son of…” – Album Review
Review: Hannah Collins
 – 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
Blue King Brown “Worldwize” Album Review
Review By Jose Eduardo Cruz
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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. |