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REVIEWS | CD |
‘Regicide’
Re:enactment
(Independent)
Wanna a slice of Kraftwerk meets The Chemical Brothers with The Happy Mondays and Joy Division as tasty side-dishes? Then I introduce you to the synth-loving, cymbal crashing rhythms of Re:enactment. This four-tracker EP showcases plenty of promise from the local five-piece. At once intense and decidedly edgy, vocalist Jac Hicks leads the way into more somber territory coursing through devilish beats on the way to an 80s electro-clash lifted straight off a Factory Records template.
‘Bathing in Goodness’
Golden Sound
(Independent)
Peter G is a local institution. When it comes to funk that makes you wanna get down on the dancefloor and strut a move or two, he is the master. In his latest incarnation, Golden Sound, Mr G has produced an album so sunny and fuzzy and damn right cool you’ll want to recline in a banana lounge with a tasty view of the Pacific for company. Worn analogue Rhodes, Hammond and Moogs are definite standouts; though lashings of space disco and Parisian 60s charm interlaced with a platoon of smooth vocals [from a plethora of singers; including Mr Laneous, Hayden Andrews and Krysten Hayes add extra spice to a record that proves world-class funk players are residing in our own backyard.
The Matchstick
'Loyalty to Loyalty'
Cold War Kids
(Shock Records)
Following on from 2006's ‘Robbers & Cowards’, the second offering from Southern California indie rockers Cold War Kids is every bit as musically diverse and lyrically rich. 'Loyalty To Loyalty' tells tales of insecurity (‘Something Is Not Right With Me’) and suicide (‘Golden Gate Jumper’) over reverberating guitars, thick bass lines and bluesy piano. Lead man Nathan Willitt plays the master storyteller throughout, howling his way through complex and intrinsically layered swampy soul rock. Opening with the bass-driven and somewhat minimalist ‘Against Privacy’, the album builds into a moody and at times chaotic fervor. In ‘Golden Gate Jumper’ the Cold War Kids show their ability to set the mood and tone fusing a bluesy sound with Willett's harrowing lyrics. It's a highlight of the album along with ‘I've Seen Enough’, ‘Relief’ and the lead single ‘Something Is Not Right With Me’. Building a visually rich tapestry of stories from days gone mixed with the quartet’s earthy, raw rock n roll ‘Loyalty to Loyalty’ is one of the standout albums of the year. For all of you who were craving the follow up to ‘Robbers & Cowards’, there is certainly no second album syndrome here.
Melanie Valkenburg
‘Islands of Ayle’
Hawnay Troof
(Valve Records)
Sometimes, but not often, an album can give you the sense that you are listening to true musical genius and that you will never need to listen to another record other than that one ever again. Then other times an album can make you feel like ripping your ears off and express-posting them to the other side of the world just in case you ever happen to hear it again. Coincidentally as you read this I will be sitting on a plane to the UK to pick up a package and to seek out a good ear surgeon.
‘Then I Held My Breath’
Sam Shinazzi
(Black Lodge Audio)
Back with his second album after dropping the moniker The C-Minus Project, Sam Shinazzi has slowed the pace for a more intimate, almost acoustic feel. ‘Then I Held My Breath’ features touching songs ‘Walking’ and ‘Graduation Girl’ that have a sense of a friend unloading their troubles about them. Having collaborated with Josh Pyke’s engineer Wayne Connolly for this record the similarities are obvious. But Pyke’s melodic, optimistic vocals are replaced with a more sorrowful, yet just as catchy, sound.
‘The Living and the Dead’
Jolie Holland
(Shock Records)
Mention a jazz artist going by the name of J Holland and most would think of the hugely successful UK artist Jools. Jolie, however, can live up to such comparisons with her own particular blend of jazz, folk, blues and rock. This, her third album release, sees her quicken the pace from previous albums as her beautiful and emotionally rich vocals, along with powerful songwriting describes her own personal journey, as she sings of missed chances on distant horizons on this timeless, authentic record.
Mike Moginie
'Dear Science'
TV on the Radio
(Remote Control)
While words like dense, layered, textured and dark will all get a run when describing this third release from TV On The Radio, the most important word to know here is… good. And despite the aforementioned adjectives, this is actually TVOTR doing cheerful (see 'Golden Age') and also sees them pare back (just a little) from the wall-of-sound approach that characterises their music. While perhaps being labelled the most “accessible” of their three records, this, like all their albums will require repeat listens before it is firmly and inextractably implanted in your brain.
Colleen Edwards
‘Le Sacre des Lemmings’
Tete
(Lickshot/SonyBMG)
If you haven't heard of France’s Tete, it's definitely time to get acquainted. This is Tete's fourth solo album and finds him in amazing form. His intoxicating and soulful take on blues, folk and pop often has him compared to Jeff Buckley. But thinking of Tete as a modern, more roughly-hewn version of Cat Stevens would be more appropriate. Either way, ‘Le Sacre des Lemmings’ is a fantastic record overflowing with addictive songs. Typically French, Tete has two things on his mind: politics and romance. For the monolingual, the political stuff might pass you by, but there can be no escaping the infectiousness of Tete's romantic heart and in no time at all you'll be singing along to another language like a retard. A brilliant album from one of France’s brightest singer-songwriters.
‘Fast, Cheap And Out Of Control’
HK119
(Creative Vibes)
HK119 is the latest in a series of Scandinavians intent on refreshing the listening public's perception of what pop music can be. Known to her parents as Heidi Kilpelainen, HK119 has penned a concept album concerning itself with the 'increasing alienation of modern man'. Unfortunately, HK119 lacks the necessary language - both lyrically and musically - to drive home her points effectively. While it's got a heavy electro sound, HK119's songs are generally lightweight, which wouldn't be such a problem if they weren't trying to propel lyrics that could have been penned by a tenth-grade Amnesty International advocate. It's a shame, because strip the songs of their high-falutin' ideas and a lot of them would be quite good. As it is however, HK119 has created an overly long, overly burdensome album that browbeats rather than enlightens.
‘Rhythm Is What Makes Jazz Jazz’
Bahama Soul Club
(Buyu/Creative Vibes)
It's unfair, but in modern times, bossa nova seems to have been neutered by fast compilation discs that operate purely as soporific background music. Bahama Soul Club are out to correct this perversion with their debut album, which they most excellently describe as being 'swinging bossa nova badness'. Break-beating bongos, back-bending bass, wanton horns and charging organ dominate the proceedings here and the result is nine tracks of hip-swinging majesty. ‘Rich Rhythms’ opens the set and serves as a warm-up to the voodoo shuffle of ‘Kind Of Cool’. Proceedings then get even hotter on ‘Sugar Cane’ with Pat Appleton laying down the sauce over some precision woodwind whilst later, the incendiary ‘Boca Chica’ blazes a trail across your aural cortex. Brilliant stuff.
‘We Are One’
Duossuedo
(Creative Vibes)
While it might seem that Duossuedo have come from nowhere to release their debut album, these two Melbourne producers have actually been kicking around on the Australian scene for almost ten years now. Perhaps it's that experience that pays off on ‘We Are One’ because as far as debuts go, it doesn't get much better than this. Duossuedo tend to eschew the current fad for the mechanical, instead focusing on producing a straight-up electro dance album that sounds old school simply in its dedication to clean big beats, great melodies and seemingly symbiotic partnerships with the raft of collaborators on the album. It is absolutely exhilarating stuff and the final result is an album that is as long on artistry as it is on adrenaline.
Matt Shea
'New Ways of Risking our Lives'
The Zebras
(Lost and Lonesome Recording)
The Zebras’ songs are understated and poignant; their chiming guitar wrought into well-rounded pop numbers. But 'New Ways of Risking our Lives' may be a misleading title. The Zebras are scored in self-control and the wan vocals are typical of post-punk. They cover their influences, albeit at EP length. 'A Day on Black Mountain Road' is endearing and melodic like The Byrds, and 'Make it Stop' has a plaintive hook reminiscent of The Cure. The Zebras are polite and sensitive and the jangle and consensual quiet on 'New Ways of Risking our Lives' is perhaps right for going home by oneself.
'Soft Airplane'
Chad Van Gaalen
(Sub Pop Records)
Chad Van Gaalen could've been New Weird America; he even painted the disturbingly lurid childrens' figures on the cover of 'Soft Airplane' himself. But for the genre, the music is better, with a welter of storm and brooding folk a reasonable treat. He cuts awfully close to Neil Young, right down to the singing. He hits rockbottom with 'Bones of Man' dropping heavy bars and the pain of place names. Van Gaalen looks for himself in a strange, purposeful acoustic and electronic meld. Whilst it verges dangerously close to being drowsy, 'Soft Airplane' is quality listening for the poetic and estranged.
‘When Good Times Go Good'
The Fauves
(Shock)
'When Good Times Go Good' marks the 20th year for The Fauves, as they roll out pub rock for the discerning. They do justice to the Aussie style - concerned with ever-slippery love, the gentle and bittersweet settles over the album. Some of the songwriting gets nebulous, like 'Love Radar', but they don't take themselves too seriously ('Fight Me: I'm 40' humorously harks back to Russell Crowe). The latter half of the album is a bit subdued, and at times The Fauves flatter themselves with artistic allusions. Nevertheless, they carry the standard and keep you interested all at once.
'When the Haar Rolls In'
James Yorkston
(Domino/EMI)
'When the Haar Rolls In' is like a lullaby. I assume James Yorkston has dedicated it to girls. I was disappointed. It wasn't at all like Baron Munchausen. Initially there's life and reason in 'Tortoise Regrets Hare', but it's hard to overlook dreary vocals for too long. Yorkston never really deviates from the strings and enunciated harmonies; and the sentimental and pathetic begin to run together over nine tracks. James Yorkston aspires to a dream state, but he's actually probably just the type of guy who wears knitted sweaters and sits at home with his cat.
James McLoughlin
‘The Lady Loves Soul’
Various
(Universal)
The record company is treading a very, very fine line here by putting classic soul divas like Aretha Franklin, The Supremes and Dusty Springfield side-by-side on a compilation next to people like Vanessa Amorosi, Sheryl Crow and Gabriella Cilmi. I suppose I can see the general concept of what they’re trying to do with this CD - you know, some kind of retrospective of strong and sassy soul ladies from the last 40 years. Personally I would have liked to have seen a few more of the real old ladies of soul on here, but I guess that’s showbusiness, isn’t it? Maybe the concept of slipping in a few classics in here and there amongst the new stuff is a really clever ploy to skool the kids. If I start hearing some better music being played the next time I walk into Supre I’ll know that the grand plan is working, and I’ll be pleased.
‘Video Hits First’
Various
(EMI)
These trashy commercial compilation CDs are always worth buying. Always. Let me tell you why. You’ll buy them now and listen the songs for about a week and then you’ll get sick of them. Then you’ll put it to the bottom of your cupboard and you won’t find it again until you go through one of those ‘reorganising-your-music-collection-what-does-it-all-mean-things’ when you’re in your early 40s. In my case that’s exactly 16 years away. It’s going to take exactly 16 years until artists like The Potbelleez, The Veronicas, The Presets, Britney Spears, onerepublic or Faker become interesting to me. And when I listen to it then this music is pretty much going to be the most revolutionary thing I’ve ever heard. Actually I’m really busy at the moment so I’m just going to have to skip the ‘listening to it right now’ thing and just throw it in the cupboard and wait.
Miss Ward
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