Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock On This Australia Day

Warner Music will release one of the best rock compilations I’ve seen just in time for Australia Day. Why’s it so good? Because it’s 100% homegrown, and no one rocks harder than Aussies!

50 Years of Australian Rock & Roll is a three-disc set charting the history of the local rock scene. That should keep the whole family happy: Mum and Dad can bop along to Johnny O’Keefe and The Deltones while the kids rock out to some Wolfmother and Eskimo Joe.

Watching the promo video’s made me pretty excited about this release. We can all get our hands on 50 Years of Australian Rock & Roll when it hits stores on January 26.

Image source: Michael Coghlan @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Baby Animals Rocking Again

Does anyone out there remember the Baby Animals? They were huge in the early ’90s, with hits like “Early Warning,” “One Word,” and “Rush You.”

Well, after an extended hiatus they’re on the comeback trail with a new album and tour in the works. Their new release Il Grande Silenzio is due out on the Liberation Blue label on January 19.

“It means The Great Silence, for those who don’t speak spaghetti western,” explained lead singer Suzi DeMarchi. “It seemed appropriate. It’s a soft, quiet, dreamy kind of record. And it’s been a long time.”

Like other albums released through Liberation Blue, it will include a mix of new acoustic songs and classic tracks.

They’ll take the new album on the road in January. Their tour kicks off in their hometown of Perth on January 18 before heading to Melbourne, Sydney, and regional New South Wales.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Marcia Hines’ New Lease on Life

After four decades in the music business, Australian Idol judge Marcia Hines is showing no signs of slowing down.

During her time in the spotlight, Marcia’s learnt a thing or two. She brings together a collection of songs that have taught her a thing or two in her new album, Life. In the album’s CD slick, she shares stories and advice relating to her song choices.

“You know how there are songs in your life that when you’re sad and you’re boo hoo that you put it on, or you have songs that are really uplifting? Well these songs have meant a lot to me in my life so I just thought if they work for me they might work for everybody else,” she told The Sydney Morning Herald.

The songs include cover versions of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” Toni Braxton’s “Breathe Again” and, her latest single, a version of REM’s “Everybody Hurts.”

Fans can expect to hear these covers when Marcia supports Lionel Richie on his Australian tour next month. Life is in stores on Saturday.

Image source: Eva Rinaldi @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

More Motown from Human Nature

Human Nature figure that when you’re on to a good thing, stick to it. That’s why they’re releasing their third album of Motown covers, Get Ready.

But don’t think this album is more of the same. Motown legends Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Martha Reeves (Martha and the Vandellas), and Mary Wilson (The Supremes) all make guest appearances for an added dose of cred.

In fact, Smokey was so impressed by our local lads that the recorded two songs with them: the album’s title track “Get Ready” and “Tears of a Clown.”

He’ll also join Human Nature for their promo tour later this month. According to Sony BMG, Smokey will sing “Get Ready” with the boys on Dancing with the Stars on November 20. But he won’t leave the country until the 25th, so there could be a couple more appearances in store.

Will Get Ready emulate the success of their earlier Motown efforts? Reach Out and Dancing in the Street both topped the charts and achieved multi-platinum status. But this time around, Human Nature face stiff competition from Guy Sebastian’s The Memphis Album.

Only time will tell who wins this soul covers battle. Get Ready will hit stores on November 17.

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Inspired By Stax Soul

It worked a treat for Human Nature, but will rediscovering his soul roots pay off for Guy Sebastian? Australia’s original Idol recently visited the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis to record his soul covers album.

While Human Nature tackled the sweet harmonies of Motown, Guy Sebastian’s record will cover the grittier recordings of Stax. Think Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Jackie Wilson, and other legends.

Guy’s enlisted a top team of talent to help him capture Stax’s sexy sound. Founding member of Booker T and the MGs, Steve Cropper, produced the album while his former bandmate Donald “Duck” Dunn lent his bass-playing prowess.

Fans can expect to hear some of these classic soul covers when Guy performs acoustic shows around the country. He plays the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel in Adelaide tonight before visiting Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne.

Image source: DianeSunshineCoast @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dedicated Renee Geyer’s New Release

Aussie soul legend Renee Geyer is showing no signs of slowing down. She’ll release her 22nd album Dedicated at the end of the month.

Dedicated features a mix of new songs and classic covers. Aussie songwriting king Paul Kelly has lent a hand, co-writing the tracks “Please Leave Your Light On” and “When a Woman Loves a Man.”

The album also includes some iconic soul hits, such as Marvin Gaye’s “Distant Lover,” Ann Peebles’ “Somebody’s On Your Case,” The Temptations’ “Wish it Would Rain,” and her famous rendering of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.”

Get your Renee Geyer fix when Dedicated hits stores on October 1.

Main image: Denise O’Hara @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vanessa Amorosi’s Back!

In the year 2000, you couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing one of Vanessa Amorosi’s massive pop hits “Absolutely Everybody” and “Shine.” Now some seven years later she’s back with a new album, Somewhere in the Real World, and a new rock sound.

For Vanessa’s fans, this won’t come as any great surprise. Before fading into obscurity, the teen sensation seemed more at home covering Janis Joplin than singing her own smash singles.

Hopefully the new album will be a better fit for this talented Melbourne artist. She’s certainly worked with some big names to make it happen. Greg Wells (Mika, Timbaland, Pink, The Veronicas), Cliff Magness (Pink, Avril Lavigne) and Chris Lord-Alge (Green Day, Pink, Avril Lavigne) all had a hand in writing and recording Somewhere in the Real World.

Vanessa’s latest album is released October 13, but fans can get a taste of it when the first single, “Kiss Your Mama,” hits stores on September 8. Vanessa fans can catch her live when she tours the country in October. Check her website for all the dates and venues.

Image source: Alpha @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angie Wears Her Hart on Her Sleeve

Can you believe it’s been almost 15 years since Frente topped the charts with “Accidentally Kelly Street” and “Ordinary Angels”?

I couldn’t either, but it seems the world’s been in fast-forward since the playful pop quartet exploded onto the local music scene. They disappeared almost as quickly, but lead singer Angie Hart never completely left us.

So it’s amazing to realise she’s never released a solo album. But that’s all about to change in September, when Angie Hart’s debut, Grounded Bird, hits record stores.

It’s been a long time coming, but Angie hasn’t exactly been idle. She formed Splendid with ex-husband Jesse Tobias, reunited with Frente in 2004, and paired with Dean Manning (Leonardo’s Bride) for Holidays on Ice.

Angie’s always enjoyed working with other talented musos, so it makes sense that plenty of big names are featured on her debut. Golden Bird includes collaborations with Ben Lee, Dan Luscombe (The Drones) and American songwriter Craig Ross.

Look for Grounded Bird in all good music stores from September 24. Angie will celebrate the release with a national tour in October. See her website for all the dates.

Image source: Angie Hart Bandcamp

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Delta’s Ready for a Comeback

Australians haven’t heard a lot about Delta Goodrem since she headed to Britain to live with Irish beau, Bryan McFadden. But that’s all set to change, with news the one-time media darling will release a new album later this year.

Sony BMG insiders told the Sydney Morning Herald they’re thrilled with Delta’s new upbeat songs. This bodes well for Delta, whose dark second album, Mistaken Identity, fell flat with the public.

But let’s face it: Delta has a lot more to smile about these days. She’s very much in love and free from the cancer that plagued her shortly after her second album release.

Her friends report that Delta has been inspired by her new relationship, and is ready to wow fans back home. No doubt they’re ready to have her back too!

Image source: SunriseOn7 @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Artists Turn The Tide Against Climate Change

Some of Australia’s top musos look set to build on the momentum of Live Earth with the release of Turning the Tide. The double CD looks to raise awareness of climate change and tolerance of all people.

The new release includes big-name talent like Missy Higgins, John Butler Trio, and Lior, alongside some fantastic up-and-coming artists. These tracks are interspersed with samples from Australian Aboriginal elders, making the disc a truly unique listen.

But it’s not just an opportunity to hear some great music. All profits from Turning the Tide will support grassroots projects to address the impact of climate change.

Sydney’s Gaelic Club will host the album’s official launch on August 8. Some of the album’s hottest new talent, including Rastawookie, Watussi, and Declan Kelly, will play on the night. So brave the cold and get out to support this fantastic cause. Tickets are available online for just $20, or $40 with the CD.

If you can’t make it to Sydney, don’t worry. Turning the Tide will be in stores from August 6.

Image source: Mineral Policy Institute and Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer @ Flickr.com