Category: Album Reviews

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Haze” – We All Want To

We All Want To is one of those bands that nearly passed me by. I remember being directed to the Soundcloud of the single “Road to Ruin” a few months ago and being a bit nonplussed. It wasn’t a bad track, but it didn’t inspire me enough to earn a review. However, now that I can hear the track amongst the others on We All Want To’s album The Haze, I’ve changed my tune.

From the opening track, “Eileen Afternoon” I knew I’d judged We All Want To too quickly. I has such great spirit, like a cross between The Whitlams and REM. It put a smile on my face, and by the time “Road to Ruin” rolled around a couple of songs later I could hear it with new ears. Sure, it’s not going to change the world but it’s damn good fun. Not that We All Want To are all about having a good time. “Remove the Arrow” is so touching. Tracks like this give The Haze the light and shade it needs. I also loved “Like Buildings Collapse,” with its dramatic crashing drums and soaring trumpets.

There’s a great energy about We All Want To. Reality TV judges would say the vocals are pitchy, and the fuzzy guitars aren’t going to be to everyone’s taste, but the songs are catchy as hell. They’ve got more hooks than my dad’s tackle box. I even kind of like their imperfections.

The Haze is light and summery, with fuzzy chords and easy harmonies. It’s a lovely antidote to the autumn chills we’re having, and when warmer weather rolls around it’ll make the perfect barbeque soundtrack.

We All Want To kick off their album tour tonight, so if you’re in Melbourne get your skates on! Here are all the dates.

29 May 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
30 May 2015 – The Metro, Adelaide
5 June 2015 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
6 June 2015 – The Phoenix, Canberra
7 June 2015 – The Vanguard, Sydney
13 June 2015 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
14 June 2015 – Bison Bar, Nambour
19 June 2015 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Your Little Trick” – Travis Caudle

For a while there pop-rock became a bit of a dirty word associated with commercial success but a lack of soul. Personally, I always enjoyed pop-rock. It was comfortable, instantly accessible, and in my opinion never given enough credit. It takes skill to create something that can appeal to the masses, and that’s exactly what Perth singer-songwriter Travis Caudle has done with his forthcoming EP Your Little Trick.

The title is interesting for me, because there’s really not a lot of trickery about it. It’s good honest Aussie pop rock with a little hint of country. That genre twist makes sense as the album was recorded in Franklin, Tennessee, just outside Nashville. Working so close to one of the world’s music capitals has given this album a bit of polish, but the production hasn’t completely smoothed out Travis’ appealing edges.

Its opener “Outta My Head” sounds like it could be added to Triple M playlists tomorrow. I found myself singing along to the chorus and loving the big guitar chords from the first listen. The energy’s still turned up for the second song, “Something’s Gotta Happen.” But there’s more to Travis than high-energy music. He shows a softer side with the beautiful ballads “Wide Open” and “Heart and Soul.” The EP ends with my favourite song from the release, “Never Quite Enough.” I could feel the frustration in the lyrics and vocals, and I really responded to it.

Your Little Trick is an easy listen, but don’t underestimate the skill it takes to create something so comforting and familiar. It feels good for a reason. Because it is.

Your Little Trick will be released on May 27, but you can pre-order your copy now from Travis’ website. He’ll launch is officially in his hometown on May 31 as part of the City of Perth’s Sunday Sounds concert series.

Image used with permission from Capture Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Love Like Hate Ready for English Summer Tour

Brisbane’s dark pop duo Love Like Hate released their EP Unnoticed late last year, but I’ve only just gotten around to listening to it. I’m so glad that I did. I already knew I loved the singles – “Electric Ships” and “Unnoticed – but I didn’t expect the other three songs to make up this release to be just as strong.

Its second song “Bright Eyes” is my new favourite I think. Its lyrics are exceptional and its driving beat compelling. I’m not sure whether it was written about a school shooting, but I couldn’t help but imagine a student struggling to fit in and striking back as I listened to it. The closer “Ride This Down,” which shows a softer side of the band, is so poignant and haunting. What a beautiful way to end an exceptional release.

Apparently Love Like Hate have been kicking goals overseas, but we’ve got them back for their English Summer tour this week. They’ll fit in the following local shows before heading to the United Kingdom for a headline tour (dates to be announced).

17 May 2015 – Fox Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
29 May 2015 – Captain Cook Hotel, Sydney (18+)
6 June 2015 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart (18+)
21 June 2015 – Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm (ALL AGES – FREE AFTERNOON SHOW)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Bones of Us” – Eliza Hull

Eliza Hull wears her heart on her sleeve with her debut album The Bones of Us. It’s an evocative title which indicates just how raw this release is.

The haunting opening number “Walk Away,” drew me in to the album immediately. “Caught” is the perfect follow-up. I love how delicate this song is. It shows that fragility of early relationships so beautifully. But these two tracks are just some of the highlights of this gorgeous release. I appreciated the way that Eliza’s voice melded with Texture Like Sun on the single “Used To” when it was released and it sounds just as special in amongst the other tunes. I felt the pain of “Skeleton” and was floored by the achingly beautiful “Bella Lou.” A song like this, with just an angelic voice and a piano, shows the power that simplicity can bring. The final song “Head Above Water” is such a strong, triumphant closer.

This intimate album drew me in from the first listen, but something tells me I’m going to love it even more with subsequent listens. The Bones of Us is just one of those releases, something fragile, beautiful, and incredibly special.

The Bones of Us is in stores now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Piranha” – Naked Bodies

A band called Naked Bodies was probably never going to release an album that was middle of the road. But their name still didn’t quite prepare me for the eclecticism of Piranha, a collection of songs that may be more diverse than any I’ve encountered this year. A harsher critic might say it’s too diverse, but I’ve got to admire its boldness.

The opening “Ugly Morning” has a bluesy gangster feel while the follow-up track “Ride On” has more of a surf rock vibe. “Hollywood Boulevard” feels like a cut from a Tom Petty album, all jangling guitars and easy sun-drenched vocals. The single “Dirty Plate Blues” is every bit as dirty and bluesy as you might expect from its name. “Moonlight Love Song (For the Folks)” feels like it could have come from a classic film score, although it’s got a psychedelic bent that makes it just a little more unhinged than “My Favourite Things.” “Monkey Blues” has the sort of title that makes you think it’s going to be a novelty track, but this proud blues number is so profoundly moving. “Circus Song” is just as kooky as a song closing such an eclectic album should be.

Piranha’s not the perfect album. It’s a bit rough and raw, and it’s so diverse that it risks alienating listeners. However people with an open mind will appreciate that this is an album that pushes the boundaries and always entertains.

Naked Bodies will support Piranha’s recent release with the following shows in June.

5 June 2015 – Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
6 June 2015 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
7 June 2015 – Barwon Club, Geelong
12 June 2015 – Miami Marketta, Gold coast
13 June 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
19 June 2015 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
20 June 2015 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
21 June 2015 – Front Bar and Gallery, Canberra
27 June 2015 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
4 July 2015 – Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine

Image used with permission from Naked Bodies