Category: Album Reviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Foreign Bodies” – The Iron Eye

With all the confidence and prowess of global names like Queens of the Stone Age and A Perfect Circle comes Brisbane rock act The Iron Eye and its brand new EP Foreign Bodies.

The EP bursts out of the gate from the first track and lead single “Culpa.” I love its driving drums and singalong chorus. “Just Started” continues the fun with its dirty, sexy groove and fuzzy guitars. The title track “Foreign Bodies” is another high-octane rock hit, with big chunky guitars and big vocals from Nick Lythall to match. “Where Do You Go” had me bobbing my head in time with its energetic beat. The closing track “Silence” is perhaps the EP’s most ambitious number. It’s menacing and dark, without the obvious hooks of the songs that came before. This song shows that The Iron Eye is a band that’s not afraid to take some risks. While it wasn’t my favourite song on Foreign Bodies, I appreciate the statement it makes.

The Iron Eye makes music that rocks hard with a great melodic core which endears it to listeners from the first spin. Foreign Bodies gives an exciting snapshot of a rock act that deserves to make a splash on the local music scene.

Foreign Bodies drops on November 18.

Image used with permission from Collision Course

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Blues Arcadia” EP – The Blues Arcadia

Ordinarily I find myself dragging my feet on a Monday, lamenting how quickly the last two days have whizzed by and the deadlines I have looming. However, this week I’ve got a spring in my step thanks to Blues Arcadia’s new self-titled debut EP.

I instantly connected with the music from this soul act from Brisbane. While it’s a debut, these guys, including past members of The Bella Reunion, are no strangers to the music scene. Listening to the seven tracks that make up this EP, you feel you’re in good hands. The numbers were recorded live to tape at The Barn Studios, giving them an energy and emotional intensity other studio recordings often lack.

I love the melancholy of “Corner Girls.” I can imagine hearing it in a smoky jazz club late at night after one too many glasses of scotch. After the raw ache of that song, the easy, playful groove of “Take the Money” gives the heart some respite. “Miss Lonely” is pure joy, the kind of track that gets everyone in a club up on their feet and dancing. “Here Comes the Rain” sees Blues Arcadia in performers its most sombre mode. It’s heartbreaking, with crying guitars adding pathos to Alan Boyle’s stunning vocals. The upbeat “Operator Please” brings the mood up before “Time and Again” reminds listeners just how good this band is at crafting a song about loss. It’s a powerhouse, with a rollicking piano, driving drums, and those meaty vocals. The upbeat “Rockin’ Chair” closes the EP with a bang. It’s got a great political message, but with its beefy sax line and danceable beat that message goes down easy.

I don’t ordinarily write about every song on a recording, but there are no filler tracks here. Blues Arcadia has such a great sound, with all the players pulling their weight. Big brass sounds meld beautifully with more delicate instruments like the guitars and piano. Everything works. And with Alan Boyle’s soulfully raw vocals on top, it’s heaven. I’m so glad this is a longer-than-average EP, because I didn’t want it to end. Excuse me while I hit play again.

Blues Arcadia’s self-titled EP drops on November 14. They’re playing the following shows around Queensland in the coming months. Hopefully they won’t leave the rest of Australia waiting too long, because I need to hear these guys live!

12 November 2016 – Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane (FREE)
13 November 2016 – Secret Show – email thebluesarcadia@gmail.com for details
18 November 2016 – The Walrus Club, Toowong (FREE)
19 November 2016 – BASEQ 21st Birthday Bash @ Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane (FREE for BASEQ members)
26 November 2016 – Sonny’s House of Blues, Brisbane (FREE)
2 December 2016 – Sonny’s House of Blues, Brisbane (FREE)
3 December 2016 – The Walrus Club, Toowong (FREE)
10 December 2016 – Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane (FREE)
31 December 2016 – The Royal Mail Hotel, Goodna
14 January 2017 – Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane (FREE)
21 January 2017 – Wolvi Heads Shed, Wolvi
27 January 2017 – Queen Street Mall, Brisbane (FREE)
28 January 2017 – Sonny’s House Of Blues, Brisbane (FREE)
17 February 2017 – Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane (FREE)
25 February 2017 – Sonny’s House Of Blues, Brisbane (FREE)
10 March 2017 – Sonny’s House Of Blues, Brisbane (FREE)
11 March 2017 – Palmwoods Hotel, Palmwoods

Image source: Blues Arcadia Facebook page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Eyes Still Fixed” – Amarillo

This is the first day this week I haven’t had somewhere to be, some thing that takes me away from my desk and my writing. It’s the perfect day to be at home, a little chilly with rain hitting the tin of the patio roof just outside my window. On days like this you want music that feels easy and comfortable, mellow and acoustic-driven. I found that in Amarillo’s new album Eyes Still Fixed.

I’ve actually had this album sitting at the top of my inbox for a while. I call it new, but the Melbourne alt-country duo released it almost a month old now. While I would have liked to get to this review in a more timely fashion, I also think I found this album at the right time for me personally. This is what I needed to explore right now.

Eyes Still Fixed was written mostly on the road, in the remote hotel rooms of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. That laidback feel of escaping the hustle and bustle of the city comes through these tracks beautifully. The steel guitars are languorous and the vocals have a distinct Australian twang to them.

The opening track “All I Can See” is breathtaking for its sparseness. I love a song that gives the music and lyrics space to breathe. The nostalgic wistfulness of “Lemonade” is so charming. The simplicity of the title track is haunting. The summery “Look At You Baby” put an instant smile on my face.

Eyes Still Fixed is a beautiful collection of songs without the frills. With their honesty and organic charm, Amarillo has created an album that’s simply a joy to listen to.

Image used with permission from Annie Johnsson Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Meteorite” – Owls of the Swamp

I prefer my Fridays leisurely, gentle introductions to weekends where I’m free to do exactly what I want. However, this one is nothing like that. I’ve got so much work on my plate that I know I’ll be chained to my desk for most of the weekend. When I’m under the pump like this, I look to music like Owls From the Swamp’s new EP Meteorite.

This recording is like a little oasis in a busy day. There’s a dreamlike quality to the music, which brings a modern electric edge to the folk genre.

“Starting All Over,” the single I was already familiar with, lulled me into the recording, instantly putting me at ease. The following track “Stepping Stones” took me back to my childhood, with its reference to throwing stones in the water and watching them ripple and warm, nurturing atmosphere. The title track “Meteorite” may be the dreamiest number of all. I almost get a sense of floating as I listen to it. It’s fitting then that the next song is “How Long Have I Been Sleeping?” It doesn’t quite rouse the listener from their dreamlike state, but rather ease them back into the land of the living. I love the acoustic guitar picking that anchors this song, which may be my favourite on the EP. “I Found You” is such a romantic way to end this beautiful EP. It’s such an honest declaration of love, heart-warming and so endearing.

I love the lush instrumentation of this release. It all sounds so pretty. There’s a lot of layering in the sounds, yet Owls of the Swamp never pushes things too far. This is another stellar release from the Aussie expat.

Meteorite is released on November 4.

Image used with permission from Pete Uhlenbruch

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Small Town Romance” – Small Town Romance

Melbourne country duo Small Town Romance is ready to unleash its debut self-titled album, a collection of songs Jim Arneman and Flora Smith call a love letter to country music.

I really love that description, because this album is one that celebrates the traditions of country music like few do today. Its songs have a great Western feel, with slide guitars and harmonicas used to awesome effect.

Jim and Flora have been making music together since 2013, and that experience shows. They’re equally capable taking on a beautiful ballad like “Halfway Up the Hume” as they are a honky-tonky number like “Old Letter.” “New Things,” which gives a playful but earnest take on encouraging a love interest to move on, is another highlight for me.

Individually both Jim and Flora’s voices shine, but when they harmonise, wow. The combination of their tones is really special, ensuring a song like “Rookie” is another album stand-out. It reminds me of what we used to hear in country music, from the likes of Johnny Cash and June Carter, or Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn.

When so much country music is being watered down, fused with rock or pop to help it cross over to a more mainstream audience, it’s refreshing to hear Small Town Romance’s music which faithfully pays tribute to the roots of the genre. Their debut album is a stellar collection of songs which shows this duo has a big future ahead.

Small Town Romance’s self-titled debut album hits stores on October 14. The duo will launch it with a gig for hometown fans at Bella Union in Carlton on October 21.

Image used with permission from Shows in Space

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Seven Years” – Matt Joe Gow

It’s been seven years since Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Matt Joe Gow released his first solo album The Messenger. He joined a band and suffered some health complaints that took him away from the industry for a while, but now he’s back with a collection of solo songs penned during his hiatus, appropriately called Seven Years.

Seven years is a long time for an album to gestate. The luxury of time has allowed Matt Joe to put together 12 beautiful songs. There are no filler tracks or numbers that don’t feel like they fit. This is quality work that is instantly accessible, with a great Americana feel that puts you right at ease. Think Ryan Adams meets Bruce Springsteen with an Aussie bent.

The first song and lead single “I’m Your Man,” charmed me, raising my anticipating for what was to come. The following song “Running on Time” is a great upbeat number which had me tapping my feet. It’s the ideal song for a Friday, making me think of raucous nights out in bars with great bands and beer flowing.

While Seven Years has its fair share of positivity, Matt Joe Gow has a knack for creating heartbreakers. “Bottle It Up, Pass It On,” is a stunning song about the end of a relationship where both parties still feel so much. The raw power of “Right By You” also packs an emotional punch. I love the poignant way the closing track “Bye” captures a moment.

Ordinarily when I’m listening to albums for review I comment on the handful of songs that really move me. As I listened to Seven Years I noticed I was taking notes about every song. That’s a testament to just how special this album is.

Seven Years will be released on October 20. He will play the following upcoming shows in Australia and New Zealand.

14 October 2016 – Rochester Hotel, Fitzroy (Ryan Adams Tribute Night)
15 October 2016 – Out On The Weekend Festival, Melbourne
20 October 2016 – Melbourne Festival, The Toff, Melbourne (supporting Grant Lee Phillips)
22 October 2016 – Melbourne Festival, The Toff, Melbourne (supporting Grant Lee Phillips)
5 November 2016 – The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick, Vic (Album launch)
18 November 2016 – Cromwell Gold n’ Notes Hoedown, Cromwell
19 November 2016 – Dog With Two Tails, Dunedin
20 November 2016 – The Starfish Cafe, Dunedin
1 December 2016 – Unicorn Hotel, Sydney
16 December 2016 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Matt Joe Gow

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Backbone” – Anthony Callea

I’ve always admired Anthony Callea’s voice but I didn’t become a fan until he released his album Ladies and Gentlemen: The Songs of George Michael a few years ago. I loved George’s originals, but I found myself hearing the songs in a new way with Anthony’s release. So I was excited to see him tackling covers again on his latest album Backbone.

It’d be unfair to call this simply an album of covers though. Perhaps the term concept album would be more accurate. This collection is all about getting to the essence of each song, stripping away the bells and whistles of production and discovering its bare bones.

The approach brings out the beauty and depth in songs that once seemed like throwaway fluff, like Britney Spears’ “Sometimes” and Bananarama’s “Love in the First Degree.” The overproduction is gone, replaced for the most part with piano, Anthony’s voice, some backing vocals to support it, and those lyrics that are better than we all remembered them.

This album isn’t just about guilty pleasures, although they’re well represented. Other songs like “Man in the Mirror” and “We Belong” were already strong on their release. However, his versions do magnify the impact of the lyrics which sees them strike a little closer to the heart. Queen set the bar very high with another true classic, “Somebody to Love,” but the acapella version included here is one of the Backbone’s highlights. Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” is another standout. The subtle sax line in is a delicious throwback to the original, although the stripped back delivery makes it brand new.

The only original song, the title track “Backbone,” is beautiful and honest. However, it seems a little out of place on this concept album, not because it’s not a cover but because it has a fuller sound that doesn’t quite gel with the other more organically treated tracks. Just a fraction more restraint would have made all the difference.

One slight mistep doesn’t make Backbone any less enjoyable though. For pop music lovers like me, it’s a real gem that breathes new life into so many songs that have a special place in my heart. With a focus on lyrics and feeling, in many cases Anthony has improved on the originals. When we’re talking about songs so beloved, that’s no small feat.

Backbone hits stores on September 16. Anthony will support its release with the following shows.

23 September 2016 – Revesby Workers Club, Revesby
24 September 2016 – The Cube, Campbelltown
30 September 2016 – The Palms at Crown, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Quick & The Dead” – The Quick & The Dead

I thought I knew what to expect from The Quick & The Dead’s self-titled album. The band’s name conjures images of the Wild West which the album cover does little to dispel. And they hail from Glenrowan, the site of Ned Kelly’s last stand. The intro planted me firmly in the territory of outlaws, but this wasn’t quite the concept album I’d hoped for.

While there were some fiddles and Western allusions in the song’s second track, “Chapter I,” its crunchy electric guitar chords took me out of the Western setting. While some tracks, like the standout “Chapter II” feel like they’ve come from the Wild West, others would sit more comfortably in a sweaty Australian pub.

It took me a while to reconcile what I was actually hearing with the music I expected. I appreciated the easy blues lick of “Fighter (Water From Stone)” and the lyrics of “Saint” really resonated. The music throughout was solid, the vocals capable. However, I confess, I found it difficult to keep up with the album’s ambition at times.

The listener is taken on such a wild journey, from the jangly country-folk of “Chapter II” to a hard-rocking track like “Stone Cold Bones” straight after it. Then it’s not too long before River is joining the band for some rapid-fire rapping in “Riddle.” This album never gets boring, but the listening experience can be a bit jarring at times.

The Quick & The Dead show a lot of potential in this album. There are even flashes of brilliance. But I fear this Victorian band may have tried to do too much here. I can never fault a band for taking risks, even if some of them don’t pay off. In time I’m sure we’ll see The Quick & The Dead honing its sound, playing on its strengths, and producing a more cohesive album.

The Quick & The Dead is released on September 1.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Grow Up/Grow Down” – The Peeks

With The Peeks winding down their Grow Up/Grow Down tour, I figured it was about time I sat down and listened to the album that shares its name. I adored the most recent single “Wanaka,” so my expectations were high for this release. The Melbourne indie folk act does not disappoint.

I love the way the band goes beyond the usual acoustic guitar strumming we hear on so many folk albums, adding gentle strings to a track like “Postman” and some brass to “Don’t Tell Your Mama.” The latter song is a real standout, with guest vocals from the sublime Annabelle Kay. This rollicking country-folk gem compelled me to tap my toes and clap my hands in time to the beat. Annabelle returns again later in the album for the poignant “Aubergine Sewing Machine.” “Night Owl” is another master stroke. I love the way it starts so small, then builds into an almost orchestral crescendo before melting away.

Grow Up/Grow Down is full of music that feels so good to listen to. It’s calming, folky, acoustic, organic heaven, perfect for slipping on during a lazy day or when you need a break from the hustle and bustle of life. The lyrics are insightful and poetic and Fraser Henry’s voice is always on point. His soaring falsetto is especially affecting.

Grow Up/Grow Down is available now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Belong” – The Evening Cast

I’ve been closely following The Evening Cast’s career since they released their debut EP Lake in 2013. The Victorian band rarely puts a foot wrong, and that tradition has continued with the release of their first album Belong.

This album has everything I’ve always loved about The Evening Cast. The harmonies are sublime and there’s a gorgeous Australian feel to the songs, with their references to familiar places and effortless feel.

It’s just an album that feels good to listen to, hooking you in from the first notes of the gorgeous opening track “Ride With Me.” I was already familiar with “Gang of Fools,” the lead single, but I think it sounds even better within the context of this album. “Water” is one of my favourite songs on Belong. Its delicate opening, with some of the most vulnerable and relatable lyrics I’ve heard in some time, grabbed me from the get go. I also adore “South Coast,” with its beautiful words that speak to the yearning to escape so many of us feel from time to time. “Clover” is a beautiful way to finish. It’s a track with real heart and soul, and some of the most powerful vocals on the album.

So many bands struggle to make the transition from EPs to full-length album, but there are no evident teething problems here. Every song is so special in its own right. I already loved The Evening Cast, but with the release of this album I think I’ve fallen a little deeper.

Belong is in stores now.