Category: Album Reviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Drawn From Bees Take on North America

Like many Aussies I wasn’t familiar with the music of Drawn from Bees, but this Brisbane band is making some real waves in North America with dates approaching at Canadian Music Week and South by Southwest.

Their EP Cautionary Tales for the Lionhearted will get an American release on March 1, which is sure to elevate their profile here and abroad. I gave the recording a few spins this afternoon and found it to be really mature, sophisticated stuff. The band harmonizes beautifully, and creates an amazing atmosphere which reminds me of Radiohead without the slit-your-wrists factor. While there’s certainly some darkness here, it never feels as gloomy and labored as the music the British band typically produced. The jangly guitars and rich melodies give these songs a warmth that elevates them out of the doldrums. I particularly loved “Stand Against the Storm,” which has shades of Talking Heads to it, and “Picture Show,” which builds so beautifully to a stirring crescendo.

Tunes from the EP and a few extras are available through Drawn From Bees’ MySpace page. If you like what you hear, make sure you check out what the band can do in the flesh at the following shows here and abroad!

18 February 2011 – 34B (above Spectrum), Sydney
5 March 2011 – The Manhattan Room, Philadelphia
6 March 2011 – Howlers, Pittsburgh
7 March 2011 – Euclid Tavern, Cleveland
8 March 2011 – Pearl St Grill, Buffalo
10 March 2011 – Canadian Music Week @ Bread & Circus, Toronto
12 March 2011 – Canadian Music Week @ Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto
13 March 2011 – Aussie BBQ @ Bowery Ballroom, New York
15 March 2011 – Cactus Instore, Houston
16 March 2011 – SXSW Party @ International Psych-Out, Austin
16 March 2011 – SXSW Party @ Aussie’s Bar & Grill, Austin
17 March 2011 – SXSW Party @ Dart International Music House, Austin
20 March 2011 – Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar, Houston
21 March 2011 – Reggie’s Music Joint, Chicago
22 March 2011 – Elbo Room, Chicago
24 March 2011 – Hennessey’s Hooley House, Boston
25 March 2011 – Hank’s Saloon, Brooklyn

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Double Crosser” – The Level Spirits

The Level Spirits first came to my attention last month with their fantastic new single “Take It Out.” Now that I’ve given their debut album Double Crosser a few spins, I’m thrilled to discover that this killer cut is no fluke.

The Level Spirits deliver good old-fashioned rock and roll. There are elements of blues, country, and rockabilly in the mix, which only add to the fun. Rather than sounding like a musical throwback, The Level Spirits present themselves as retro cool.

Lead singer Molly Jean Morrison anchors The Level Spirits’ contemporary image. She cuts a striking image with her flame-red hair, ballsy vocals, and sassy delivery. It’s hard to believe that The Level Spirits is Molly Jean’s first band, as she sings with a natural ease that suggests years in the biz. Her time in the world of burlesque has clearly served her well; she brings a raw sexuality to the band that’s really exciting.

The raucous opener and title track “Double Crosser” grabs you by the throat, demanding you to listen to what’s coming up next. And what follows is the kind of music you might expect to hear in a smoky juke joint. It’s always upbeat, but some deliciously dark lyrics add an extra layer. “Psycho For Your Love” and “Not as Much” were real highlights for me, but I daresay I’ll find a few more favourites the more I listen to the record.

The only disappointment for me was the closer, “Taste of the Same.” While it’s a solid track, it feels so much more modern and, dare I say it, generic than what had come before. I’m of the school of thought where albums should be whole, cohesive units, and this song just didn’t gel with the rest of the tunes.

Still, there’s an awful lot to dig about Double Crosser. There’s so much life to it, I’d love to see what these guys can do on stage. Sadly they’re only playing in Melbourne at this point, including their album launch at The Tote this Friday. If you’re a local, I strongly suggest you check it out!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Mighty Big Light” – Steve Parkin

I didn’t know a lot about Steve Parkin when he joined Josh Pyke, Kav Temperley, and Kevin Mitchell in Basement Birds. And so when his solo album Mighty Big Light passed my desk, I expected the sort of mellow and introspective acoustic tunes this super group delivered. What I got instead was an album much richer, and much more interesting.

I really liked Basement Birds, but their music was so low key that it almost faded into the background. I was thrilled to see Steve Parkin take things up several notches here. It opens with the pared back “Lost Highway,” but then takes us to much bigger places. The soaring string section makes “California” feel a bit more epic, and “I Won’t Be” has the kind of grandeur I’d expect from 1970s Pink Floyd.

The eclectic tunes can make the disc feel a bit uneven at times, more like a disparate collection of songs than a cohesive unit. But on the flip side, we never get bored! Steve Parkin’s no musical newcomer, and his experience informs what each song needs. Listening to Mighty Big Light feels like a journey; you can’t always predict what’s coming up ahead, but it’s still a great ride.

I instantly liked Mighty Big Light, but I have a feeling I’m going to grow to love this complex disc the more I listen to it. Look for it in stores this April.

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Our Horse is Dead” – Heartbreak Club

After watching hours of devastating news footage from Queensland floods, I wanted a pick-me-up. After looking at the cover of Heartbreak Club’s Our Horse is Dead, with its whipped My Little Pony-esque cartoon, I knew that album was just what I needed.

And so on an afternoon where so much is going wrong in the world outside, I lapped up Heartbreak Club’s feel-good blend of pop and punk. There’s a lot of artists blending those genres in the industry these days, but Heartbreak Club certainly creates tunes that are a cut above the rest. It’s really intelligent stuff, with a few literary references waiting for those willing to listen to a lyric, and an intriguing willingness to experiment with genre.

That eclecticism is hinted at in the opener “Are You Leaving Me?” Its boisterous brass called to mind old school ska bands like the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and They Might Be Giants. But Our Horse is Dead really hits its strides with “Viva La Mala Fortuna,” a rollicking, fist-pumping ball of sunshine and synthesisers.

From this point the album which was enjoyable, if a little run of the mill, really kicks in. Heartbreak Club begin to show us what they can do, displaying the originality and depth which separates them from their contemporaries. “Depths Unseen” is a real revelation, a quirky confession of love with stirring strings, brass, the works. If you’re going to profess such intense emotions, why not do it in grand style? The stripped back treatment and playful lyrics makes the endearing “Jeepers!” another highlight.

With Our Horse is Dead Heartbreak Club delivers an album which is always solid, and often great. Listening to it makes you feel good, but it’d be a mistake to dismiss these guys as just another formulaic pop-punk act.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Hearts Still Beating” – Leone Western

Hold on to your ears and prepare to listen to the tunes from Melbourne two-piece, Leone Western. This is a band that breaks the mould, which makes their EP Hearts Still Beating a thrilling but challenging listen.

There’s a real lack of polish to these guys, which is both a blessing and a curse. There’s a certain appeal to that emotional rawness, but sometimes I wished the edges were a bit smoother. The guitars are fuzzy and dirty like some grungy garage band. Wailing chords are surprisingly paired with tinny 80s style synthesisers. The combination isn’t always a harmonious one, but I have to give the band credit for trying something new.

Clearly this is an outfit still trying to figure out their sound, but it seems like they’re enjoying doing it. “Les Vagrant” is a delightfully quirky piece of retro pop, and the darker “White Pony” features some amazing vocals. With such an eclectic collection of tunes I’m not sure anyone will like every number, but there’s bound to be something here you’ll latch on to.

That makes Hearts Still Beating a great introduction to Leone Western.  It might be a bit rough around the edges, but it shows a band with a unique sound and a lot of potential.

Image source: Leone Western MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Dr Dream and the Imaginary Pop-Cabaret” – Emma Dean

After hearing the New York Post rave about our own Emma Dean, I knew her sophomore album Dr Dream and the Imaginary Pop-Cabaret must be something special. But I wasn’t prepared for exactly what a magical album it is.

Emma Dean pushes the envelope to create a record that lies somewhere between old school Tori Amos and the Wicked soundtrack. That sounds like a bizarre combination, and I suppose it is, but on listening to the record it all makes perfect sense.

Just like those early Tori Amos recordings, Emma keeps proceedings moving along with her driving piano notes and an innate theatricality. On the surface there doesn’t seem to be the angst of a Little Earthquakes, but don’t dismiss it as frothy stuff. The lyrics plumb some really dark themes, but they’re presented with such color and flamboyance that the casual listener might miss them. Of course, that only makes this complex recording richer on each listen.

Tunes like “Stuck in the Mud” and the single “Sincerely Fearful” seem like they’re made for a modern Broadway musical. Again there’s that great sense of theatre that seems bigger than an album, but it’s not as affected as an old-fashioned show tune might be.

“Something They Can Hold” is another tune worthy of note, a track with such emotional intensity and visceral lyrics that it left me floored.

With Tori Amos mellowing in her middle age, I’m thrilled to see an artist of Emma Dean’s talent picking up the baton. We needed a strong, independent, and individual female voice on the musical landscape, and knowing she’s Australian makes it all the better. Dr Dream and the Imaginary Pop-Cabaret is a very special CD that won’t be leaving my stereo any time soon.

Image source: BigPond Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Hyperspace Clearance” – Dan Webb

Dan Webb takes his cues from the world of classic rock with his sophomore EP, Hyperspace Clearance.

It’s a suitably far out name for a disc which revels in the music of the 60s and 70s. It’s not a carbon copy of the acts that came before, but Dan certainly wears his influences on his sleeve. He allows the artists of the past to inform his music, adding a hint of psychedelia here and a whiff of progressive rock there.

Perhaps it’s my love of The Doors that makes “These Walls” the standout for me. I love its cool, rollicking bass line and lush Hammond organ. Vocally Dan Webb is a world away from Jim Morrison’s lush baritone, but if the band were to have gone in a different direction I imagine they’d have made a song like this.

Dan’s heavy handed piano style, quirky songwriting, and musical smarts make a big impression. He creates a really lush sound by layering up to six keyboards over one another; it’s reminiscent of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound in the very best way. Clearly this is an artist who enjoys experimenting. On this disc we see him learning about his potential and sound. But rather than feeling simply like we’re listening to someone testing things out, we enjoy being taken on this musical journey.

In just four songs Dan Webb makes a big impression with Hyperspace Clearance, one which leaves me wondering where he’ll take us next.

Image source: JB HiFi website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“New Techniques for Beginners and Champions” – A Family of Strangers

The world of side projects is a bit of a musical mixed bag; for every success there are many more dismal failures. Happily A Family of Strangers, the latest project for The Butterfly Effect front man Glenn Esmond, falls into the former category.

It’s too early to determine whether chart success will follow the band, but it should if their debut EP New Techniques for Beginners and Champions is any indication. This is a really strong collection of six tracks, songs that step away from The Butterfly Effect but not so far as to alienate the band’s strong fan base.

I find these tunes more accessible than those of the iconic Aussie hard rock outfit. There are some big gritty guitar chords and dark lyrics, but the focus on the melody helps the listener connect from the first spin.

Fans of The Butterfly Effect won’t be disappointed with rock anthems like “Don’t Forget (03.03.03)” and “Silly Love Songs,” but I find the tracks that are dramatically different from Glenn Esmond’s previous work a little more intriguing. “Here Without You” shows he is capable of producing a real radio-friendly ballad of love lost. A Family of Strangers exposes their soft underbelly again with “The Velvet Divorce (Follow).” But my favourite track is probably the closer “Farewell, Mr Hooper,” a wild rock sea shanty. It’s such a quirky tune, the kind of thing I imagine a crew of pillaging pirates might create if you handed them electric guitars.

It almost seems unfair to bands starting out to call New Techniques for Beginners and Champions a debut EP, because A Family of Strangers are so experienced and in control of their sound. They’re equally at home in the sunlight and the shadows, and they take us to both places in this recording. It’s a really accomplished first taste of a band I look forward to hearing a lot more from.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Until Then” – Gossling

Like so many other Australians, I recently sat home applauding Angus and Julia Stone as they took home award after award at the recent ARIAS for their sophomore effort Down the Way. Listening to Gossling’s new EP Until Then I wondered whether she’ll need as many long players under her belt before the awards start to flow.

The comparisons to Julia Stone are unavoidable; the artists sound uncannily similar with their breathy, ethereal voices. But Gossling brings more dynamics to her intimate tunes. She isn’t afraid to let that voice of hers soar, matching the lush instrumentals she favors. Her sound is big and full, with strings and pianos joining her voice as the songs reach emotional and musical crescendos.

While her sound is bigger, Gossling is careful to never lose the organic nature of her music with overproduction. Listening to the songs you get the sense that they could have been recorded during a jam session in someone’s living room. There’s that sense of immediacy and truth, as if the tunes were captured in one take.

The EP has just five tracks, mostly tales of love convincingly painted by the lyrics that never stoop to cliches. The epic “Oh Darling” may be one of the most beautiful and stirring songs I’ve heard all year. But I was thrilled to see her experiment a little in “I Was Young,” a tune which steers dangerously close to bluegrass in the rollicking choruses. I hope to see her play a little more with genres and sounds when the inevitable long player is released.

And it is inevitable, because Gossling is that good. We have a glut of talented female singer-songwriters in this country, but I expect to see her standing out from the pack in the coming years.

Image used with permission from Repertoire Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Walk” – Israel Cannan

Israel CannanThat dreaded lurgy of mind is still hanging around, but I heard once that music is the best medicine. I’m not sure whether the gentle strains of Israel Cannan’s new album Walk are helping me get rid of the germs any quicker, but they’re certainly not hurting matters.

This album is my kind of music, with its lush, organic sounds, honest lyrics, and heartfelt delivery. As each track unfolded I found myself thinking just how good it was. I have some early favourites; I love the jangling rhythm and harmonica strains of “To The Left,” the driving beats of “Let It Rain,” and the slow build and emotional words of “Where the Story Unfolds.”

While these tunes are revving me right now, I have a feeling that my list of favourites is going to change after a few listens. While some of them speak to me more than others in this moment, they’re all brilliant. This is the kind of album packed with songs that work together as a unit, rather than seeming like a collection of singles. And again, that’s back to the honesty of this recording; it seems more like an attempt to document a period of time than an effort to make money.

Mellow and gentle, and above all real, Walk by Israel Cannan is the perfect thing for soothing my current malady.

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting