Category: Album Reviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Essential as Anything” – Mental as Anything

It seems like Mental as Anything has been around forever. They’re Australia’s ultimate party band, and they’ve made their mark on most of us, whether we want to admit it or not. For me their music reminds me of discos in the 1980s, where I’d dance along to the songs wearing too much fluro. Good times.

Lately I’ve been looking back on the band with the recent release of Essential as Anything, a bumper greatest hits CD. Everything is on here, from early tracks like “The Nips are Getting Bigger” to more recent hits like “Mr Natural.” In fact, there were a few songs I’d even forgotten about until I heard them again! Such is the quality and volume of the Mentals’ back catalogue.

If the 24 tracks aren’t enough for you, don’t despair. The CD also comes with a bonus DVD featuring 37 video clips, interviews, and plenty of documentary footage. Now that’s value.

Essential as Anything is the sort of album you’ll pull out time and time again at family barbeques and as a companion for those long car drives. It’s not likely to change the world, but just like the Mentals, it’s awfully good fun.

Image source: Bigpond Music; Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"All Woman" – Various Artists

Last month I told you about Warner Music Australia’s newest compilation album All Woman. I got my hands on an advance copy last week, and I’ve been blasting it ever since.

It’s two CDs chock-full of girl power anthems. All the usual suspects are there – Aretha, Whitney, k.d., and Marcia – alongside new kids Delta Goodrem, Gabriella Cilmi, Joss Stone, and Colbie Caillait. Forget those whiny love ballads bemoaning lost love: these women are confident and in control, and their energy is infectious. The diverse track selection of soul divas, rock goddesses, and pop princesses ensures the CD stacks up to repeated listens, and sing-alongs. As soon as I finish disc two, I’m ready to pop in disc one again.

This is the sort of soundtrack you need for road trips with the girls or a long day’s housework. Best of all, $1 from the sale of every CD will benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation. You can get yours when All Woman hits stores on Friday, April 17.

Image source: Chaos website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Way the World Looks – Wes Carr

Wes Carr was one of the most exciting contestants in the last season of Australian Idol. He performed each song with the easy charisma of a seasoned professional, but anyone who’s followed the Idol machine knows that’s no guarantee of success. After hearing his debut album The Way The World Looks, I’m convinced Wes will not be just another Idol to fall from view.

The husky vocals and warmth Wes brought to the Idol competition are still there, but what struck me most about this recording was songwriting talent. It’s one thing to sing, but another to craft songs this good. Far from a one-trick pony, Wes dabbles in genres to create an album that’s eclectic yet accessible.

It opens with the rollicking honky tonk tones of “Any Other Way,” before launching into the anthemic second single “Feels Like Woah.” He wears his heart on his sleeve with “Light Years,” a slow burner that builds to a soaring crescendo. But my personal favourite is the laidback reggae tinged “Hurricanes.”

There’s a lot to love here, but it’s not an album without flaws. The lyrics to “Love is an Animal” are a little immature, but I guess that’s what happens when you record a song written in your teens. “Stay Awake” would be a brilliant track if it didn’t feel like Gavin Degraw’s “I Don’t Want to Be” Part Two.

Yet even the missteps are enjoyable to listen to. It’s just that when Wes gets it right, he sets the bar so high. This is a really solid debut, the kind that takes up permanent residence in your stereo and leaves you anticipating what comes next.

Image source: Wes Carr website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

A Day on The Green: The Vintage Years 2001-2008

It’s amazing to think that A Day on the Green has staged its acclaimed winery shows for more than seven years. I remember attending the very first one in the Hunter Valley, an all Australian line-up featuring Richard Clapton, Mark Seymour, Renee Geyer, and Paul Kelly.

Since then A Day on the Green has gone from strength to strength, attracting more international artists and more fans, yet staying true to its core desire to provide a laidback concert experience for the over 40s set. I’m not there yet, but I definitely appreciate shows that allow me to indulge in a good wine and a cheese platter while enjoying great music.

To celebrate its success, the mob from A Day on the Green has released a special three-disc set entitled The Vintage Years 2001-2008. Each disc takes us on a different journey: one “stripped back” and acoustic, the “new blend” showcasing the best young talent, while disc three is “vintage” all the way.

The vintage is perhaps the most eclectic, with the dance flavours of Lionel Richie and Leo Sayer sitting alongside Aussie rockers Jimmy Barnes and Richard Clapton and the soulful strains of George Benson and Simply Red. Thankfully my own music taste is pretty diverse, so I appreciate the variety. I’ve been alternating the discs in my car according to my mood.

International headliners Jackson Browne, Steely Dan, Chris Isaak, and John Fogerty are notable absences. But so many people have graced the Day on the Green stages, I suppose some harsh decisions had to be made. The abundance of Australian talent, from icons like James Reyne and Ian Moss to new kids Clare Bowditch and Lior, should please local audiences.

My only disappointment is that we’re left with studio versions rather than live ones. The songs are flawless, but they lack the energy I experienced at the shows. Perhaps some recordings from those concerts could make up the next three-disc set!

Image source: JB Hi-Fi website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Autumn Never Fall" – Sunwrae Ensemble

One of the things I love most about my job is that I get to experience so much fantastic local music. I get to listen to sounds that wouldn’t ordinarily, and thus my tastes are ever changing. This week I came across one of those unique gems, and it’s made quite an impression.

Autumn Never Fall is the latest album from Melbourne-based “nu-chamber” group Sunwrae Ensemble. Like traditional chamber music, the songs are richly layered with a beautiful blend of sounds, each combining to create a sound more exquisite than any instrument could create alone. Piano, strings, wind, and percussion all work together to give each song a lush texture.

The classical influences are obvious, but the band’s jazz leanings give the songs a modern accessibility. At times it feels like the players are simply jamming, and that vibrant spontaneity is just so compelling.

I’m a girl who adores singing along to her favorite CDs, so listening to an instrumental recording such as this was a new experience for me. But in stepping out of my musical comfort zone, I’ve found an album that is truly special.

Image used with permission from Sunwrae Ensemble

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Good Lovin’" – David Campbell

I received David Campbell’s Good Lovin’ as a Christmas present and I haven’t been able to prise it from my stereo since. I was a big fan of David’s “Swing Sessions” albums, and wondered where he’d take us next. This nostalgic journey to the 1960s was a little unexpected, but it all makes sense.

It’s a real departure from the standards he tackled in the past, but it’s not so far removed that he risks alienating his ever faithful audience. These songs will resonate with the mums and dads who remember the first time they heard them, while David’s younger fans might learn a thing or two about musical history. David’s obviously a fan of the songs he covers and he stays true to the originals, yet the warmth of David’s voice ensures no song ever feels like a carbon copy.

A duet with his own dad, the living legend Jimmy Barnes, on “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” is an obvious standout. But I can’t resist dancing around my loungeroom to “Now That I’ve Found You” and “Jackie Wilson Said.”

Good Lovin’ is fun, pure and simple. Every song is delivered with conviction and a healthy dose of charisma. Receiving it in my stocking has only made me hungrier for that tour in March!

Image source: David Campbell website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Curiouser" – Kate Miller-Heidke

Kate Miller-Heidke is one of the most intriguing Australian musicians, so it makes sense that her second album is titled Curiouser.

It’s an eclectic collection of songs, from the sunny pop opener “The One Thing I Know” to the moving ballad “The Last Day on Earth.” The tunes might sound markedly different, but they’re unified by Kate’s clever lyrics and sense of fun.

This is a more commercial affair than Kate’s debut Little Eve, and initially that may disappoint some fans. Her operatic trills are scaled back, and songs like the single “Can’t Shake It” will sound right at home on sandwiched between Britney and Beyonce on the radio. But Kate cleverly stays just left of the mainstream, no matter how close to it she veers. These songs are more accessible to the masses, but they’re still highly original.

The tunes all clock in at around three minutes, helping the disc move at a frantic pace. I needed to play it through three times just to absorb it all, particularly those cheeky lyrics. I think every girl will relate to the sentiments in “God’s Gift to Women” and “I Like You Better When You’re Not Around”!

Kate Miller-Heidke has gone from strength to strength with Curiouser, a complex album that gets richer with every listen. I always knew she was brilliant, but this might just be the CD that convinces the rest of Australia. Take a look at this video for a taste of the album!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Night & Day" – mrben

Sydney rockers mrben will release their debut album Night & Day later this month, but I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek.

The opening track, “Memory,” draws you in with its smouldering verses and blistering chorus. Things slow down a little on “One Man,” but while it’s somewhat calmer the song is certainly no less intense. Ben Wever’s emotive vocals see to that. “When You’re Gone” is sure to become a live favourite with its crunchy guitars and hook-laden lyrics.

This album has been four years in the making, and it shows. Mrben has laid down 11 solid songs that beg to be played again and again. The sound is more polished than most debuts. Clearly those years playing Sydney venues like the Gaelic Club, the Cat & Fiddle, and the Bridge Hotel have served the lads well.

Singer-songwriter Ben Wever enjoys exploring the darker side of the human experience, but the energy behind the songs ensures they never get too gloomy. His raspy vocals wrap around his lyrics with genuine conviction. This is clearly a man who’s really lived. We’ve seen drummer Jeff de Araugo as part of Sarah Blasko’s band, but this meatier material allows him to really let loose. Bassist Leighton Holloway completes the trio, unifying the rich sound.

Sydneysiders can catch mrben launching Night & Day at the Annandale Hotel on Wednesday 19 November.

Image source: mrben website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lenka – Lenka

I recently told you how I am in love with Lenka’s new single, “The Show.” But I couldn’t stop there. I needed to know whether this girl was the next big thing, or a one-song sensation. After giving her self-titled solo album a thorough listen, I’m predicting big things from this Aussie ex-pat.

If you love “The Show,” chances are you’re going to love this recording. This hot single gives a great indication of what you’re in for with this recording. Lenka’s sugary sweet vocals are the perfect match for her light, breezy melodies. This is an album of joy, a whimsical collection of songs which is instantly accessible.

That’s not to suggest that Lenka is all sunshine and rainbows. Songs like “Anything I’m Not” and “Trouble Is a Friend” aren’t afraid to explore the darker side of life. But Lenka’s ethereal vocals and indie pop sensibilities ensure the record never gets bogged down by negativity.

The result is the perfect antidote for whatever ails you. It’s an album full of colour and sweetness, which gets richer and more satisfying with every listen.

Image source: Amazon

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Imaginary Things" – Delamare

Some music is so raw with emotion, it seems to bleed from your speakers. Some music is politically charged and written to change the world, or at least the thinking of one listener. And some music is just pure unadulterated fun.

Imaginary Things, the debut EP from Adelaide quintet Delamare, falls into the latter category. It’s not particularly deep or important, but it’s just so joyful you can’t help but smile when you hear it.

This makes the music of Delamare somewhat of a guilty pleasure, like lollies. I tend to expect my music to be a little meatier and more satisfying than this, yet for some reason I keep on listening. In a world where indie pop outfits like Good Charlotte, Fall Out Boy, and Simple Plan dominate the charts, there’s nothing revolutionary about this music. The lyrics are basic at best and cringeworthy at worst. The third track, “Camera Shy Girl” made me laugh out loud with its cheesy lines.

Yet funnily enough, somehow it all works. The vocal harmonies are brilliant and the melodies are addictive. Those North American punk-popsters I mentioned grate on me when I hear them on the radio, yet I happily listened to all five Delamare songs. I even went back for second and third helpings.

Yes Imaginary Things has flaws, but so what? I loved it. If I were a teenage girl watching these five good-looking lads belting out these songs, I imagine I’d fall even harder! This recording isn’t going to change the world, or even your outlook. But it might just brighten your day!

Image source: Delamare MySpace