Category: Album Reviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“These Walls” – Anna Cordell

When I wake up in the morning, I don’t switch on the morning shows like so many Aussies. TV distracts my husband who commutes into the city, so instead I reach for music. Most often it’s too loud or obnoxious for the morning, but I try to persevere. However, this morning I found just the right music to gradually bring me into the Land of the Living. These Walls EP, from Melbourne songstress Anna Cordell.

You might remember me waxing lyrical about Anna’s single “I’ll Wait Here” a month or so ago. I was surprised to see that song’s not on the EP, but also excited because it meant I got to hear five brand new songs. Anna is an artist who really knows who she is. There isn’t a lot of variety in this recording in terms of sound, but each track gets its individuality because of the stories she tells. I love someone who goes beyond the standard tale of boy meet girl or girl loses boy with their music. Getting into specific stories about people and moments in time is the key to really engaging a listener, because they haven’t heard it all before.

I was particularly struck by the opening song “Michael,” which recalled a sweet childhood relationship, and “Blue Rose,” a poignant song about seeing beauty in our differences. The title track “These Walls” is a fitting end to this beautiful collection of songs.

Anna writes incredible folky songs, which are anchored beautifully by her angelic voice, the gentle strumming of a guitar, or the soar of a string line.

Anna Cordell’s These Walls EP is released today via Bandcamp. She’ll launch the EP with the following shows.

29 August 2015 – Little and Olver, Melbourne
3 October 2015 – Beyond Festival, Canberra
15 October 2015 – The Vanguard, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Tales From the Sea” – The Lockhearts

I must admit, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of Tales From the Sea when it arrived in my mail box. The Lockhearts’ new album is spread over two volumes. On both covers there’s an octopus with a menacing glare. I wondered whether I was in for a concept album, or perhaps a collection of sea shanties. What I got what some of the best classic rock music I’ve heard in years.

The first volume opens with “Hope,” an uplifting number with a bluesy Black Crowes feel. I loved its chunky guitars and the story the lyrics told of a young woman struggling to make ends meet but filled with optimism and generosity. The album takes a different turn with “The Way to Thunder Road,” is a big ballsy song about rebellion and yearning for adventure. I loved the next song “The Game,” a breakup number which decides to be brutally scathing rather than curling up in a ball. “If Time Was On My Side” made me smile with its jangly, semi-acoustic feel, harmonica, and fatalistic lyrics.

I settled in for the second installment and was caught off guard. It starts with “Low,” a dark brooding number about being consumed by depression and hate. It’s a great track, but also one that I struggled to listen to after the lightness of part one. “Detonator” is another song which celebrates the darker side, a big loud expression of frustration that my teenage self would have eaten up. However, many years have passed since I felt angsty, and I was wondering whether volume II just wasn’t for me.

“Hush” changed my mind. It’s a companion piece to “If Time Was on My Side,” a love song set against the background of the end of the world. It might just be my favourite song on Tales of the Sea. It reminds me a little of a Van Halen number, with big wailing guitars and vocal harmonies, and these great apocalyptic lyrics. “Meet You There Again” follows on so perfectly from “Hush.” The end might be coming, but in this song The Lockhearts sing of the kind of love that transcends time and space. And when it’s delivered with such finesse, you believe it.

No one’s making music like Sydney band The Lockhearts anymore. The members grew up listening to The Doors, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zep and they proudly wear those influences on their sleeves. Throw in a little ’80s rock and you’re somewhere in the ballpark. But there are reasons why the songs of these classic bands lasted. The Lockhearts might feel like a little bit of a throwback, but creating music influenced by that which has stood the test of time can never be a bad thing.

Tales From The Sea is out now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Nothing’s Going On” – William Street Strikers

When I caught up with William Street Strikers’ vocalist and guitarist Andrew Matters earlier this year, he called their latest album “a real hodgepodge.” As I listened to Nothing’s Going On, I realised just how apt that description was. This album goes on a wide variety of musical directions, yet somehow it all works.

By daring to be different, William Street Strikers ensures this album has plenty of highlights. Nothing sounds samey, as it does on so many records, so each song stands up and demands to be appreciated. I love the easy groove of the album’s title track and opening number “Nothing’s Going On.” The single “Wrong Way Home” is one of the album’s strongest cuts. The horns help to balance the menacing lyrics of “Stalker.” The closing track “No Surrender” is good honest Aussie pub rock, defiant and jubilant in its rebellion with big screaming electric guitars and pounding drums.

Before writing this review, I looked back over what I wrote about William Street Strikers’ last few releases. In 2012, I commented that Keep Left was also an eclectic album, but questioned whether the band might have experimented too much. A year later, with the release of the To the Motel EP, I accused the band of playing it safe. Now, with a few more years of experience under their belt, I feel like they’ve got the balance right. Nothing’s Going On is another very diverse offering from the Adelaide band, but it’s one that somehow remains accessible and cohesive. It takes the listener in different directions without alienating them. It’s a very smart release from this up-and-coming Aussie act.

Nothing’s Going On is released on July 31.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“But For All These Shrinking Hearts” – Josh Pyke

There’s something so comfortable about slipping on a Josh Pyke album. He’s an artist who knows himself. He doesn’t need to experiment or reinvent the wheel in his music, because what he does it so good. And it does it again with his latest album, But For All These Shrinking Hearts.

The opening track, “Book of Revelations” is a case in point really. It’s such a low-key start. It eases us into the album, rather than begging us to pay attention. There’s a confidence in that. Josh Pyke doesn’t need to deliver bells and whistles. He just does what he does.

The second track, “Songlines,” reminds me a little of the Beatles with its marching band type orchestration. It’s one of the biggest songs on the album, but it’s delivered with just as much heart as the quieter tunes.

“Late Night Driving” is probably my favourite song on the album. It’s beautifully restrained, with gorgeous lyrics. This is the song I keep coming back to.

I heard “There’s a Line” before the rest of the album, and it’s so wonderful to hear it within this context. Its place within these other songs makes an already wonderful track even stronger.

“Still Some Big Deal” smacks of honesty. It’s so great to hear a love song that isn’t all about rainbows and butterflies. Similarly, the closing song “Someone to Rust With” reminds us of the flaws of real love. There’s beauty in its imperfections.

But For All These Shrinking Hearts is another beautiful collection of songs from Josh Pyke. It’s beautifully low key, but anchored by searingly honest lyrics and a natural melodic sensibility. I love it a little more every time I hear it. By sticking to the tried and true, Josh probably isn’t going to win any new fans with this effort, but I get the feeling he doesn’t care too much. He just does what he does, and he does it so well.

But For All These Shrinking Hearts hits stores on July 31.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Dark Horses” – The Getaway Plan

Melbourne rock act The Getaway Plan are back with their third album Dark Horses. It comes five years after their last LP, and it seems they’ve channelled all of their time away from the studio beautifully. This is a big album and just what those fans who so generously donated to their crowdfunding campaign wanted to hear.

It opens so strongly with the epic rock of the single “Landscapes.” It’s a danger in a way opening an album up with a single I think. By putting something so strong up front, I always question whether the rest of the album might be filled with weaker filler tracks. We soon get our answer though.

“F(r)iend” kicks in where “Landscapes” left off, with big guitar riffs, emotional pleading vocals, and an epic rock song. There are a lot of big rock songs here. It’s what The Getaway Plan are famous for, and what the fans want to hear. While I enjoy those tracks, it’s the ones that veer off the tried and true path that give Dark Horses balance. I love the bluesy groove that underpins “Castles in the Air” and “Dark Horses.” “Last Words” feels very commercial without being cliched.  “Dreamy Parallels” is the most beautiful ballad, or at least it starts out that way before The Getaway Plan turns it on its head. “Baby Bird Effigy” is another of those songs that takes so many twists and turns. It’s bold and brave, with movements taking us from laidback piano ballad to searing rock song and back again.

Bold and brave are the two adjectives that came to mind when I listened to this album. Crowdfunding an album isn’t new, but there’s a danger that a band’s going to try too hard to please the people who put up the money. In doing so, there’s a real possibility that they won’t take enough risks. I think The Getaway Plan strike the balance beautifully. Dark Horses is a triumph, a credit to the band and just what those generous crowdfunders ordered.

Dark Horses is in stores today. The Getaway Plan will support its release with the following shows later this year.

3 September 2015 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
4 September 2015 – Baker Street, Gosford
5 September 2015 – Studio Six, Sutherland
10 September 2015 – Wollonong Uni, Wollongong
12 September 2015 – Transit Bar, Canberra
18 September 2015 – The Gapview Hotel, Alice Springs
19 September 2015 – Railway Club, Darwin
23 September 2015 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville
24 September 2015 – Magnums, Airline Beach
25 September 2015 – Villa Noosa, Noosaville
26 September 2015 – Parkwood Tavern, Gold Coast
1 October 2015 – Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich
2 October 2015 – Wooly Mammoth, Brisbane
3 October 2015 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
16 October 2015 – 170 Russell, Melbourne
17 October 2015 – Riverview Hotel, Tarwin Lower
29 October 2015 – Werribee Plaza Hotel, Werribee
30 October 2015 – Chelsea Heights Hotel, Chelsea Heights
31 October 2015 – Workers Club, Geelong
6 November 2015 – Club 54, Launceston
7 November 2015 – Republic Bar, Hobart
12 November 2015 – Inferno, Traralgon
13 November 2015 – Hallam Hotel, Hallam
14 November 2015 – Commercial Hotel, South Morang
18 November 2015 – Leisure Inn, Rockingham
19 November 2015 – Prince of Wales Hotel, Bunbury
20 November 2015 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
21 November 2015 – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle
22 November 2015 – Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough
27 November 2015 – Whaler’s Hotel, Warrnambool
28 November 2015 – Fowler’s Live, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Fur Coat & The Peace Boat” – Burn Antares

As a fan of classic rock, I was instantly captivated by Fur Coat & the Peace Boat, the new EP from Sydney five-piece Burn Antares. The band wears its influences on its sleeve, with songs references the likes of Jefferson Airplane and Curtis Mayfield.

It opens with “Crystal Love” which is just so gutsy and soulful and joyous. It’s a great retro throwback that I instantly warmed to. “Rich Man” has more of a country bent, with a warm electric guitars and pianos. Stevie Nicks could easily have recorded this back in the day. “Knight in Shining” brings more good vibes. I imagine this would have gone down a treat at Woodstock or at some hippie commune. It’s just got such positivity.

The brooding “Discord and the Amity” didn’t strike as much of a chord with me, perhaps because it came off so many songs that felt so good. It’s a quality song, but its darkness feels a little out of place on this EP. “Vangablonde” ends the Fur Coat & the Peace Boat with another country-inspired ditty. It’s coolly mellow, and reminds me of something that might have come from the soundtrack of a Western film.

Fur Coat & the Peace Boat is out now. Burn Antares will support its release with shows along the East Coast later this month.

11 July 2015 – Standard Bowl, Sydney
17 July 2015 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
18th July 2015 – Yah Yah’s, Melbourne
31 July 2015 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
1 August 2015 – The Bearded Lady, Brisbane

Image used with permission from RiSH Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Absence” – Alanna Eileen

Every now and again you encounter a voice that stops you in your tracks and songs that tug at your heart. You listen to them and instantly you want to tell everyone you know that they have to hear them too. I’m lucky, because I have a blog and I can share not just with the people I know, but a whole bunch of strangers. Because I don’t care if I know you or not; I need to tell you about Alanna Eileen and her stunning EP Absence.

The first thing that struck me about this Melbourne folk singer was her voice. It’s so gorgeous, ethereal and delicate, almost fragile but with a quiet strength too. I could listen to it all day and not tire of it. It’s paired beautifully with simple instruments like a strumming acoustic guitar and a gentle piano. The instrumentation gives the EP its fullness, but it never threatens to steal focus. That’s a good thing too because the lyrics need to be heard. Alanna has such a gift. Her words are poetic without being flowery. They get to the heart of things and leave such an impression.

I especially loved the longing of “Absence Tonight,” a heartbreaking ode to a soured relationship. “The Mirror and the Mime” is another standout, a song of self-reflection that’s so eloquently realised. “Stranded” is such a tender, poignant way to close this exquisite EP.

Absence is such a special collection of songs. It’s intimate and personal, with lyrics that show Alanna’s heart and draw you in. The songs have such a magical quality to them. They certainly cast a spell on me, because the moment Bandcamp prompted me that maybe I should buy it rather than simply hearing it for free, I coughed up my Paypal details.

Alanna is preparing to record her first full-length album. It’s a good thing too, because I need to hear more music from her.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Love is the Great Rebellion” – Ben Lee

Ben Lee is one of those artists that doesn’t like to stay in one musical place for too long. He’s often been angry and experimental, but my favourite Ben Lee is folky, loved-up Ben Lee. He’s the guy who makes very accessible light poppy songs that just make you feel good. That’s the Ben Lee we have showcased on Love is the Great Rebellion, my favourite Ben album since 2007’s Ripe.

It charts some of the same territory as Ripe, but with the wisdom that a happy marriage and fatherhood brings. That wisdom is captured beautifully in the opening number “Giving Up on Miracles,” a song which says goodbye to the romantic fantasies and embraces the reality of a fantastic life. The overabundance of joy in songs like “Happiness” and might be a bit cloying if you’re not in the right frame of mind, but I find such cheer endearing. The mellow, assured knowledge of “The Body of Love” really struck a chord with me. On an album like this even a song called “Everybody Dies” reeks of positivity.

I started listening to Love is the Great Rebellion on a pretty good day which quickly went south. When I was up, it echoed my sentiments. When I was down, stressing about my cat who was admitted to the vets for the second time in a week, it buoyed me. It’s not an album for the cynical, but for the rest of us it’s a wonderful pick-me-up.

Love is the Great Rebellion hits stores on June 2. It’s available for pre-order now with a free download of the single “Big Love.”

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

JONES Jnr Celebrate Soul with “Step on Sleep”

It’s always hard to get back to work after a long weekend. It’s even harder when you feel a cold coming on. But it’s made easier when you’ve got something fantastic to listen to like JONES Jnr’s debut EP Step on Sleep.

JONES Jnr is a new project for Ev Jones and Thundamentals founding member Morgan Jones. With it they’re bringing back old school soul with songs like the funky single “Never Be Lonely,” the Nu Jack Swing feel of EP opener “Feel That Way,” and the epic Motown-influenced closing number “Don’t You Worry.” There are plenty of grooves and brassy hooks and velvety smooth vocals.

“We have a lot to share with the world when it comes to the JONES Jnr sound. It’s still growing and developing, it’s still soul, it’s still got swingbeats, but it will take listeners to some surprising places,” Ev explained. “There are some very personal songs on this EP, these aren’t stories, this is our life on record.”

JONES Jnr will showcase that sound when they play the following shows supporting Step on Sleep’s recent release.

2 July 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
3 & 4 July 2015 – Bello Winter Festival, Bellingen
10 July 2015 – Blackbear Lodge, Brisbane
11 July 2015 – Shebeen, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Metanarratives” – Interim

Brisbane-bred and soon to be Sydney-based rock act Interim have put it all out there with their new EP Metanarratives. It’s a bold collection of five songs which the band call “narratives about narratives.” As someone who really responds to lyrics, I appreciate that they’re a band telling stories.

The press release calls Interim a “hard-out rock quintet” but that doesn’t quite convey the whole essence of this band. Honestly, the five tracks we’re treated to probably still only skim the surface, but it’s an amazing start.

The opening track “Jack” grabs you from the first notes. It feels like it could score a modern Western film. There’s a lovely grittiness to it while still being accessible.

I love the simple combination of vocals and sparse acoustic guitar opening the follow-up track, “She’s the Devil.” It feels like you might hear it around a campfire or something in the Wild West until the electric guitars break in and roughen it up. As the intensity lifts it becomes something so much more epic than it began.

“Play Your Game” feels like a throwback to classic rock acts like Led Zep and Deep Purple in the best possible way. It’s all power and passion and sheer grunt.

After such a ball-tearing number it was a relief to slow things down with the bluesy, sensual “For Your Love.” This song is the one which really shows that Interim are much more than just a “hard-out rock” act.

“Way Down” is a big song to end on, but it’s not my favourite. It seemed a little screechy, without the restraint I saw in some of their other big numbers. Sometimes less really is more. It’s epic, but don’t quite pack the emotional punch that I think it should. I can’t fault the band’s ambition though. Sometimes you’ve got to take risks, and they’re not always going to pay off. In the case of Metanarratives, mostly they do.

Metanarratives will be released via MGM Distribution on Friday June 12.

Image via Collision Course