Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jason Donovan Plans Musical Comeback

It’s one of the most unlikely comebacks in the business. Jason Donovan is recording a new album.

The former Neighbours heart-throb hasn’t had a hit in 15 years, and those tracks were pretty pathetic. But he’s not going to let that stop him. At least this time around Jason’s going to have some good songs! His album Let it Be Me features a mix of covers and originals inspired by the music of the 50s and 60s.

“Well, I’ve finished the vocals and it sounds pretty good,” he said yesterday. “But I haven’t finished the whole production side of it. I think you’ll like it.

“There’s a good selection of songs on there. It’s sort of difficult doing a cover-based album, but there’s three new songs on there.”

But that’s not all. Jason’s also planning a tour to support the release.

Let it Be Me is scheduled for release on November 10.

Image source: Jennifer Barnard @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Catch "Easyfever"

Some of Australia’s finest musicians have come together to pay tribute to local rock pioneers The Easybeats. Easyfever will feature the works of new kids like Skybombers and Dappled Cities alongside industry veterans like Neil Finn and Iva Davies.

The album will also include a real treat for fans: a previously unreleased song called “Motherfigure.” Harry Vanda and George Young penned the song in the 70s, intending it to be the first single from Stevie Wright’s third solo abum. Of course that album never came. Stevie’s rerecorded the track with another of Australia’s favourite sons, Jimmy Barnes.

“The Easybeats are an integral foundation stone of Australian rock and roll,” explained Albert Music CEO Tim Prescott.

“As a band they really were the first truly ‘Oz Rock’ export; and as songwriters, performers and producers, the band became the genesis of so much amazing Australian music – with Harry Vanda, George Young and Stevie Wright in particular all writing many hits, and George and Harry playing a hand in the careers of some of our greatest artists (including AC/DC , The Angels, Rose Tattoo, John Paul Young and of course Stevie’s solo career). Despite all this history, well known to music industry pundits, with the passing of time, The Easybeats and Stevie probably haven`t received the public accolades, or broad recognition, that they so richly deserve.

“Therefore to have this tribute album, featuring these extraordinary homegrown artists, playing Easybeats songs, is really a fitting testament to The Easybeats, and their long standing influence as songwriters and performers of some of the greatest songs that shaped our industry.”

If you know the music of the Easybeats, you already know these songs are amazing. If you don’t, this is the perfect education to songs like “Friday on My Mind,” “Sorry,” and “I’ll Make You Happy.”

Easyfever will be in stores on October 4. Here’s the amazing track listing!

  1. “Sorry” – Skybombers
  2. “Guitar Band” – The Living End
  3. “Wedding Ring” – Resin Dogs
  4. “Good Times” – The Veronicas
  5. “Women (Make You Feel Alright)” – Neil Finn
  6. “She’s So Fine” – Thirsty Merc
  7. “For My Woman” – Dappled Cities
  8. “Somethin’ Wrong” – Dash & Will
  9. “Come And See Her” – The Cruel Sea
  10. “I’ll Make You Happy” – Faker
  11. “The Music Goes Round My Head” – Old Man River
  12. “Sad And Lonely And Blue” – Iva Davies
  13. “Friday On My Mind” – Ben Lee
  14. “Heaven & Hell” – Gyroscope
  15. “Motherfigure” – Jimmy Barnes and Stevie Wright
  16. “St. Louis” – Grinspoon
  17. “Black Eyed Bruiser” – Children Collide
  18. “Evie Pt. 1 (Let Your Hair Hang Down)” – The Wrights feat. Nic Cester
  19. “Evie Pt. 2 (Evie)” – The Wrights feat. Bernard Fanning
  20. “Evie Pt. 3 (I’m Losing You)” – The Wrights feat. Phil Jamieson

Image source: Eric Koch @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AC/DC Release "Black Ice" in October

Mark your calendars AC/DC fans. Their long-awaited new album Black Ice will be released on October 18 in Australia and October 20 in the United States.

Black Ice is the band’s first studio album in eight long years. It contains 15 new songs including the first single “Rock ‘n’ Roll Train.” Fans will get a sneak peek of the new material when the track hits radio on August 28.

Black Ice was produced by Brendan O’Brien in Vancouver, Canada. Music fans will know Brendan as the man behind massive albums from Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, and Rage Against the Machine. Will Black Ice rock as much as these releases? You betcha.

AC/DC will kick off a world tour at the end of October in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Stay tuned for those dates as they come to hand! Until then, here’s the complete track Black Ice listing!

  1. Rock ‘n’ Roll Train
  2. Skies On Fire
  3. Big Jack
  4. Anything Goes
  5. War Machine
  6. Smash ‘n’ Grab
  7. Spoilin’ For A Fight
  8. Wheels
  9. Decibel
  10. Stormy May Day
  11. She Likes Rock N Roll
  12. Money Made
  13. Rock N Roll Dream
  14. Rocking All The Way
  15. Black Ice

Image source: AC/DC website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

You Am I Are Dilettantes

One of Australia’s most revered rock outfits You Am I are back with a brand new album, Dilettantes. Of course this posesYou Am I the obvious question: what’s a dilettante?

According to wordsmith and lead singer, Tim Rogers, the obscure term is a rather fitting album title.

“The meaning of the term has a duality – either referring to folks who dabble in appreciation of arts or culture, or those who have a deep love for works, or performers,” he said in a statement.

“I first loved the word after hearing Duke Ellington use it to describe the members of his consistently brilliant bands. More often than not the people who have left the deepest impressions on me have been those who have delicately bashed my ears with their love of music, art, literature, and with no airs and graces, more peanuts and beer.”

You Am I’s eighth studio album sees the band collaborate with their long-term producer Greg Wales. This record was approached a little differently, with the band trying to second guess and explore the processes they’d usually rely on make an album.

EMI Music CEO John O’Donnell says the result is an album that “is open and more varied and filled with all colours of the You Am I rainbow. It’s a really great change-up after Convicts, neither better, now worse – just the perfect next step.”

Sounds exciting! You can get Dilettantes when it hits stores on September 13.

Image source: Mudcake Imagery @ Flickr 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shannon Noll Tells His Story So Far

Some might argue that releasing a greatest hits album after four years in the business is probably a little premature. But not Sony BMG, who figure they might as well repackage Shannon Noll’s best bits for those people who quite like to listen to him on the radio but never actually bought a CD.

Of course there’ll be something for the real fans too, who can look forward to five new tracks including the upcoming radio single, “Summertime.”

Personally I think you need a greater body of work than three albums to consider a greatest hits package, but Shannon thinks it’s a brilliant idea.

“It was only once we started talking about the idea that it sank in how many singles there’s been, from ‘What About Me’ right through to ‘Loud’ and ‘In Pieces’,” he said in a statement.

“All these songs mean so much to me and showcase a journey that I’ve been through with my songwriting and recording, my career in general. It’s great to have the new songs on the album, as they are just a taste of what we’ve got planned for next year!”

To celebrate the September 27 release of No Turning Back: The Story So Far, Shannon is heading out on the road for one of his biggest tours to date featuring shows in the capital cities and regional centers.

Here are all the dates!

11 September 2008 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
12 September 2008 – Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns
13 September 2008 – Bombray Rock, Townsville
14 September 2008 – Andergrove Tavern, Mackay
16 September 2008 – Roma Bungil Recreation Centre
18 September 2008 – Brolga Theatre, Maryborough
19 September 2008 – Moncrieff Theatre, Bundaberg
20 September 2008 – Caloundra RSL
23 September 2008 – Ballina RSL
24 September 2008 – Coffs Harbour Ex-Services Club
25 September 2008 – Port Macquarie Panthers
26 and 27 September 2008 – The Palms @ Crown, Melbourne
3 October 2008 – Bunbury Entertainment Centre
4 October 2008 – Burswood Theatre
5 October 2008 – Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
6 October 2008 – Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
8 October 2008 – Curtin University, Kalgoorlie
23 October 2008 – Capital Entertainment Centre, Wagga Wagga
24 October 2008 – Kinross Woolshed, Albury
30 October 2008 – Tivoli, Brisbane
31 October 2008 – Seagulls Club, Gold Coast
8 November 2008 – Acacia Ridge Hotel
9 November 2008 – East Bank Centre, Shepperton
12 November 2008 – Inferno Nightclub, Traralgon
14 November 2008 – Shoppington Hotel, Doncaster
16 November 2008 – Hallam Hotel
19 November 2008 – West Tamworth Leagues Club
20 November 2008 – Dubbo RSL and Memorial Club
21 November 2008 – Orange Ex-Services Club

Image source: Foraggio Fotographic @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melinda Schneider Duets with Paul Kelly

Melinda Schneider has a new fan in Aussie singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. Paul was so impressed with a demo version of one of Melinda’s new songs, he agreed to sing it on her latest album.

The unlikely duo met by chance in Coogee.

“I was snorkelling at Coogee Beach and got up and out of the water, and there was Paul Kelly sitting on a rock,” Melinda told The Sunday Telegraph.

The pair got to chatting, so Melinda decided to send Paul a copy of her song “Still Here.” He loved it so much, they decided to record it together at his Melbourne home.

“I love his vocals on it,” she gushed. “The intimacy of it is really beautiful on that track.”

Melinda will launch her latest album, Be Yourself, at Sydney’s City Tattersalls Club on Thursday. It will hit stores on 5 July.

Image sources: Melinda Schneider MySpace and RattyPussFACE @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sneaky Sound System Release Album Number 2

It’s been a long time since we’ve heard anything from Australia’s hottest dance outfit, Sneaky Sound System, but all that’s soon about to change. Miss Connie, Black Angus, and MC Double D are back with album number two called, funnily enough, 2.

No points for originality there, but it’s still going to do well thanks to a killer first single called “Kansas City.” The album will be repackaged in the UK to include the new stuff plus the best tracks from the first album. The British are going with “Pictures” for the first single, but it won’t be the same old thing. The UK recording will have a distinctly British flavour thanks to remixing by Rich Costey, the man behind Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, and Muse.

2 will hit Aussie shelves in August 16 before the Brits get it on September 22. To celebrate the release Sneaky Sound System will play a couple of east coast dates in August. Tickets are on sale from July 3 for the following dates.

16 and 17 of August 2008 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
26 and 27 of August 2008 – The Queensbridge, Melbourne
29 and 30 August 2008 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Image source: Hooverdust @ Flickr 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mahalia Barnes’ Star-Studded Debut

Mahalia Barnes’ musical pedigree is impeccable. So as you’d expect, some of Australia’s biggest names appear on her debut album, Mahalia Barnes + The Soul Mates.

There’s her uncle Mark Lizotte, band buddy Mr Percival, pals Jade McRae and Daniel Mifsud, and that’s just for starters.

“They are my dear friends, but they are also my musical inspiration,” Mahalia told The Sunday Telegraph. “They are also great teachers and friends.”

Her dad Jimmy Barnes even pops up to show he can play some mean percussion.

“He taught me everything and it just so happens that he is the bet tambourine player I know, so it was really great to have him involved,” she said.

Mahalia Barnes + The Soul Mates hit stores on June 21.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AC/DC Ink Wal-Mart Album Deal

AC/DC’s first album in eight years will be available exclusively through Wal-Mart stores in the United States of America.

The Eagles were the first to ink a similar deal last year. They received $30 million when Wal-Mart sold their Long Road Out of Eden album.

The AC/DC deal is expected to be somewhere in the same vicinity. Nice work if you can get it!

The as-yet-untitled album is slated for release later this year.

AC/DC are also planning a world tour to support the release, which should start in Australia early next year.

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Summery New Release From The Herd

Aussie hip hop outfit The Herd are back with a brand new album. Summerland is the band’s fourth release and it’s already being called a “melodic opus.”

The tracks are full, with strings and horns sitting alongside throbbing guitars and bass lines. The varied tracks include the powerful “Kids Learn Quick,” the raucous “2020,” the impassioned “Time to Face the Truth” and the fun and funky “Zug Zug.”

Summerland will hit stores on May 24. Fans in Melbourne and Sydney are in for a real treat, with the band preparing to showcase the new album at some very special performances. See them on June 13 at the Hi Fi Bar and at The Factory on June 14. Tickets are available now from New World Artists.

Image source: The Herd press gallery