Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Faker Give Away “Get Loved” Album

Faker are getting into the Christmas spirit, announcing that they’ll give their new album Get Loved to fans for free.

In an open letter the band’s frontman Nathan Hudson said that “The point and excitement in writing and releasing Get Loved is in danger of being missed.” He continued that the band recorded the album a year ago expecting to unleash it straight away. However changes in management and lineup combined with a bunch of red tape to see that release date pushed back time and time again.

In the meantime their most recent tour was “less than well-attended” and the band realised music lovers were “unsure or who or what the band is.” And so Faker rejected the latest January 2012 release date and, with the help of EMI, moved things forward on their terms.

“For those of you that have been incredibly patient and have made the effort to discover and listen to our new music, we thank you and want you to know that we’re doing this for you,” he wrote. “If we hold this record back any longer, it’ll just feel like we’re taking the piss.”

And so Get Loved will be available to download for free from midday tomorrow through Faker’s website. It sees the band close this chapter as they head into the studio to get started on their next album, and the next phase of their career. Hopefully it won’t take so long for the next disc to drop!

Image source: Safetypinheart @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lester the Fierce Impresses with “Holland”

Lester The Fierce isn’t quite as scary as her name suggests, but there’s still something dramatic and dangerous about this Melbourne chanteuse. I’m so taken with her breathtaking single “Holland,” which comes from her debut EP The Summer Deluge. Get ready for some enchantingly ethereal vocals and a whole lot of feathers.

Lester The First will launch the EP tomorrow night in front of her home town fans at the Phoenix Public House. Make sure you turn up early for support slots from Clue To Kalo and Mouth Tooth.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack on Fire Launch “Sermons from the Eastern Seaboard”

Jack on Fire recently released Sermons from the Eastern Seaboard, their dark follow-up to their 2009 debut album Stranger Cain.

These two tracks showcase the eclecticism of the release. “Less Than Ordinary” is devilish bluegrass, while “New Moon” feels more modern and haunting. Jack on Fire sounds so unique, and by all reports they’re just as gripping live.

Music lovers in their adopted hometown of Melbourne can see the band doing their thing at the EP launch. Jack on Fire will play the Phoenix Public House in Brunswick on December 2 ahead of a national tour in the New Year.

Image used with permission from Hooked Up Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Cat Empire Releases Album for Asylum Seekers

The Cat Empire may be enjoying some time apart at the moment, but the band has joined forces with Tunes for Change to release Asylum. This selection of rare and unreleased songs from The Cat Empire and its side projects is available for the next few months only from the Tunes for Change website.

All monies raised by the release will benefit the Asylum Seeker Resource Center, Australia’s largest group advocating on the behalf of asylum seekers and protecting their human rights. The band hopes to raise $50, 000 for the charity.

The Cat Empire wants to make the album accessible to as many people as possible, so it’s asking people to donate $5 or more for it. If all you can spare is $5, that’s fine. But if you have more and you’re passionate about the cause, you can be more generous.

Image source: Stuart Sevastos @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Necks Release Mindset

Sydney’s acclaimed jazz trio The Necks are releasing their big 16th studio album today. Mindset marks a bit of a milestone for the band, as it’s their first album to be released in both CD and vinyl formats.

The disc features just two sprawling and starkly different numbers, the throbbing “Rum Jungle” and dreamy “Daylights.”

“Mindset shares some elements in common with our previous album Silverwater, mostly in some mixing approaches and rhythmic devices; a reflection of our ongoing fascination with polymetric material and varying simultaneous pulses,” explained The Necks’ drummer and percussionist Tony Buck, “but it’s a whole other thing again, and what’s more, the two tracks are very different from each other – ‘Rum Jungle’ displays the live approach of the trio of piano, bass, and drums a lot more; ‘Daylights’ features a bed of electronics and little sounds that slowly converge and coalesce into a multi-layered, multi-tempo, swirling soundscape.”

Look for Mindset now in all good music stores.

Image source: Nick Carson/Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Wright Smith Plays Album Launch Show

Melbourne alt-country singer Ben Wright Smith will play a hometown show at Red Bennies tonight to support the release of his debut album Autumn Safari.

The disc shows the way Ben has grown since releasing his EP Benny and the Kid. While it was straight down the line acoustic folk the album shows more character, with haunting numbers paired with more upbeat, bass driven tunes.

I’ve fallen hard for the romantic single “Been Thinkin’ About You.” It’s simple, but that only proves that often the best things aren’t overcomplicated. If you like it too you can download it for free from Ben Wright Smith’s Triple J Unearthed profile page.

Autumn Safari hits good music stores today.

Image source: Ben Wright Smith website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Clearlight” – Dig

It’s been 13 long years since Dig, or Directions in Groove as the uninitiated call them, have released a studio album. Back then I was a teenager more interested in good looking boy bands than acid jazz. I knew of the Sydney band, but their new album Clearlight is the first time I think I’ve listened to them properly.

It’s all a bit different this time around. The addition of Laura Stitt on vocals, a replacement for original singer Scott Saunders, brings a new energy to the group. That female voice gives a haunting, ethereal quality to the tunes she fronts. I particularly like her work on the laidback groove, “Blind.” That difference also makes Dig feel very modern. As much as I loved the 90s, we can’t be stuck there after all.

I feel that the songs with Laura’s vocals are the album’s strongest. Her voice seems to provide an anchor which ensures the tunes don’t get too aimless. Instrumental tunes like the Latin flavoured “New Sense” start out so strong, but they tend to drag a bit towards the end.

While some tunes petered out, I found Clearlight really easy to listen to. For the most part it didn’t grab me around the throat, although the epic drum-driven “Reality” was a notable exception. However it was great background music to get me through my working week. It’s the kind of disc I’d slip on as a party was starting to wear down, or perhaps to nurse the hangover the next day.

Clearlight’s not a perfect album, but it makes me glad Dig are back on the local music scene, especially now I’m old enough to appreciate them.

Dig kicks off their Clearlight tour in Brisbane tonight. Here are all the places you can catch them.

17 November 2011 – The Old Museum, Brisbane
18 November 2011 – The Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
19 November 2011 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
26 November 2011 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
3 December 2011 – The Studio @ Sydney Opera House, Sydney
10 December 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Georgia Fair Launches Album in Melbourne

It seems like Georgia Fair have been impressing me forever with their laidback folky acoustic guitar driven tunes, so I’m pretty excited to hear they’ve finally got an album on record store shelves. To celebrate the recent release of All Through Winter the band will play a launch show at The Toff in Melbourne this Wednesday, November 16.

All Through Winter was recorded in North Carolina with Bill Reynolds from Band of Horses overseeing proceedings.

“It’s once in a blue moon that I come across a group with such great harmonies and great songs. I knew I had to find a way to work with them,” he explained. That’s some endorsement!

The album showcases the low-key harmonies and sophisticated songwriting that Georgia Fair is known for. It also features the band’s gorgeous new single “Where You Been.”

Look for All Through Winter in stores now, and get yourself along to The Toff this Wednesday if you know what’s good for you!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Checks Play Sydney

New Zealand’s favourite sons The Checks are celebrating the recent release of their new album Deadly Summer Sway with a very special Sydney show next month.

The album was recorded at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios with the help of Grammy award winning producer Bassy Bob Brockman (TLC, The Fugees, Mary J Blige). It features The Checks’ new single “Candyman Shimmer,” which shows off a much more chilled side of the band than I’ve heard before. I wouldn’t call it sleepy, but this cruisy tune is perfect for a lazy summer day. If you like it you can grab a free download from The Checks website.

The Checks will play an intimate set at Goodgod Small Club on December 15. They’re in fine form at the moment, having just wrapped up a 13-date tour of their homeland. I know we’re all strapped for cash with the holidays approaching, but the tickets cost just $8 pre-ordered and $10 at the door.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

David Campbell Goes Retro

I’m pretty excited at the coming together of one of my favourite Australian singers and my favourite musical decade. After tackling the standards more than once, show tunes, and the sounds of the swinging sixties, David Campbell is setting his sights on the 80s.

Next week David will release Let’s Go, an album featuring covers of tunes by Wham, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, and The Style Council. Oh and there’s this version of Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love.” Not to mention a version of my favourite song ever, “True.” Needless to say, I’m beyond excited.

Let’s Go hits stores on November 18, which is not so coincidentally the day that tickets go on sale for his next Aussie tour. David never does these things by halves; I’m sure you’ll be able to catch him busting out the retro numbers somewhere near you!

16 February 2012 – Belmont 16ft Sailing Club, Belmont
17 February 2012 – State Theatre, Sydney
25 February 2012 – Festival Theatre, Adelaide
10 March 2012 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
16 & 17 March 2012 – Palms @ Crown, Melbourne
12 & 13 April 2012 – Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre
14 April 2012 – Civic Theatre, Orange
19 April 2012 – Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree
20 April 2012 – Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie
21 April 2012 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
27 April 2012 – Llewellyn Theatre, Canberra
28 April 2012 – Regional Entertainment Centre, Bathurst
3 & 4 May 2012 – Performing Arts Centre, Wangarratta
5 May 2012 – Entertainment Centre, Albury
10 & 11 May 2012 – Regional Theatre & Convention Centre, Dubbo
12 May 2012 – West Tamworth Leagues Club, Tamworth
16 May 2012 – Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
17 May 2012 – Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
18 May 2012 – Perth Concert Hall
19 May 2012 – Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury
31 May 2012 – Performing Arts Centre, Colac
1 June 2012 – Warnambook Entertainment Centre, Warnambook
2 June 2012 – Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mt Gambier
7 & 8 June 2012 – Capital Theatre, Bendigo
9 June 2012 – Eastbank Centre, Shepparton
14 June 2012 – Performing Arts Centre, Frankston
15 June 2012 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat
16 June 2012 – GPAC Playhouse Theatre, Geelong