Category: Album Reviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Win Guy Sebastian’s "The Memphis Album"

Guy Sebastian’s latest release, The Memphis Album, has been the former Australian Idol winner’s most successful album to date. Listening to this nostalgia-filled tribute to the past, it’s not hard to see why.

Guy’s reverence for these original Stax recordings is obvious. Not only did Guy make a pilgrimage to Memphis to create the record. He also enlisted the likes of Steve Cropper and Donald “Duck” Dunn to ensure these cover versions had all the life of the originals. And they do. There’s a real energy to this recording that makes it easy to forget these songs are around forty years old.

While Motown produced sweet soul music, Stax’s songs were always a little edgier. Guy’s voice is a natural fit for these sexy tracks. “Hold On I’m Coming,” “Let’s Stay Together,” and “In The Midnight Hour” are real standouts.

I believe the secret to this album’s success is its broad appeal. Mums and Dads can happily listen to these beloved songs which never stray too far from the originals. And with Guy Sebastian in fine voice, his teenage fans will lap it up too. It’s just good music, and good fun.

I have one copy of Guy Sebastian’s The Memphis Album to give away to a lucky Oz Music Scene reader. To be in with a chance to win it, simply leave me a comment and tell me why you love Guy Sebastian. Please remember to include your e-mail address when you comment so I can contact you if you win. The competition will close at 5 pm (AEST) next Tuesday 26 February, and I’ll announce the winner the following day. Good luck!

Image source: Bigpond Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Live & Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s Restaurant – Various

The Live & Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s Restaurant CD has been permanently lodged in my stereo since I picked it up at the Rick Price/Jackie Bristow show a few weeks ago. The disc features an all-Australian cast, with big names like Daryl Braithwaite, Christine Anu, Rick Price, and Richard Clapton appearing alongside Central Coast locals Mike McCarthy and Sarah Humphries.

The songs are stripped back and raw. We all know the words to just about every track, but their acoustic treatments breathe new life into these songs, giving the familiar tunes new meaning. To hear Diesel and Jon Stevens jamming on “Dock of the Bay” is truly something special.

I’ve often gushed about my time at Lizotte’s. I feel so blessed to live on the Central Coast, where we have such an intimate venue serving the simple pleasures of good food, good wine, and good music. We aren’t all so lucky. But this album allows all of us to experience a little bit of Lizotte’s. The CD slick even features some recipes so we can recreate the experience at home.

Just like a night out at my favourite venue, Live & Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s is a satisfying and indulgent experience to be enjoyed again and again.

Image source: Lizotte’s website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Get Ready" – Human Nature

Human Nature have been doing their Motown thing for so long it’s easy to forget they used to be a boy band. But all that is coming to an end with the release of their final Motown experience, Get Ready.

After pumping out a few of these soulful nostalgia trips, there was always the risk the third album would become stale. To prevent this, The Nature headed to Detroit and enlisted the help of some of Motown’s finest artists: Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Martha Reeves, The Temptations, and Smokey Robinson.

The result is an album that’s full of energy and loads of fun. You might think that by the third album, Human Nature would have already covered all the good tracks. The wonderful thing about Motown music is that no matter how many albums come before it, there are still great songs to record. “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” “Tears of a Clown,” “It’s The Same Old Song,” and the title track “Get Ready” all benefit from the Human Nature treatment. I could have done without the inclusion of a Motown-style “Jingle Bells,” but that’s what I get for buying the album around Christmas time.

There’s nothing earth-shattering or revolutionary about this recording. If you didn’t like the first couple of Motown albums, this one probably won’t rev you either. But there’s a reason why Human Nature have sold millions of Motown records around this country. Quite simply, these lads have four of the finest voices in Australia. And when you get them singing some of the greatest songs ever written, the result is always going to be sublime.

Image sources: Human Nature website and jeaneeem @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Bigger Better Power Ballads II" – Various

I’ve just arrived home after five days road-tripping. As every seasoned traveller knows, you need two things for a good road trip: good company and good music. My husband took care of the former, but after about 15 hours in the car, we started to tire of the CDs I’d packed. Thankfully while buying petrol in Bairnsdale I stumbled across EMI Australia’s massive compilation album, Bigger Better Power Ballads II.

I’ve heard a few compilation albums in my time, but none have impressed me as much as this one. Power ballad veterans like Journey and Queen sit comfortably alongside newer artists like Nickelback and The Fray. Power ballad enthusiasts have long overlooked the contributions of women, but this compilation doesn’t forget female masters like Pat Benatar and Tina Turner. But unfortunately the Australian content is a little light on, with only Moving Pictures and Youth Group flying the flag.

You’ve heard all the songs before, which makes it excellent for a long car trip. My husband I loved singing along to Toto’s “Africa” and Mr. Big’s “Be With You.” At three discs it’s also the perfect length, because once you reach the end of the third disc you’re ready to hear disc one again.

If you’re road tripping these summer holidays, and even if you’re not, Bigger Better Power Ballads II is a lot of fun. It’s so good it’s inspired me to track down the original.

Image source: Chaos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Rock-Bottom Jackpot" – Dé Jah Groove

Dé Jah Groove’s debut release Rock-Bottom Jackpot may just be the perfect soundtrack for the summer.

The Melbourne outfit has earned a reputation as one of the most explosive bands on the live circuit, and they’ve managed to bring that energy to this album. Their combination of jazz, funk, roots, rock, and hip-hop reminds me of early Cat Empire recordings, which is a good thing.

With six band members, it’s little wonder that Dé Jah Groove has a really big sound. The horns are loud, layered over the percussion of the drums and bass. It’s also refreshing to hear the Australian accent in Harley Stewart’s vocals.

Standouts include the easy grooves of the first single, “Mellow Stages,” the far from lazy opening track “Lazy Sundays,” and the fantastically fun “One Drop High.”

Rock-Bottom Jackpot is in stores now. Dé Jah Groove is currently on the road to support its release. Check their MySpace page for all the dates.

Image source: Dé Jah Groove MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"No Man’s Woman" – Various Artists

Some say the concept album is dead, but don’t tell that to the folks behind No Man’s Woman. The album features some of Australia’s finest male artists covering songs made famous by iconic female figures.

The results are surprising. I would never have expected some of the song choices, like Josh Pyke’s Kate Bush cover, or The Vines’ reinterpretation of The Veronicas. Some of the artists are faithful to the originals, while others opt for dramatic reworkings. Despite these different approaches, all the musicians involved ultimately show a respect for the original artists.

Now I’ve had the disc for a while I find myself repeating Lior’s glorious cover of “Landslide,” Angus Stone’s poignant version of Joni Mitchell’s “River,” and Dan Kelly’s ukelele-driven interpretation of “Nothing Compares 2 U.” But I still can’t warm to Tex Perkins’ menacing “I Am Woman,” or The Vines’ dirge-like “4Ever.” Many of the tracks won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but that’s part of the joy of an album like this. There’s enough diversity here to keep everyone satisfied.

No Man’s Woman is currently available with a limited edition bonus disc, featuring nine of the original songs (or technically eight and Sinead O’Connor’s version of “Nothing Compares 2 U”). It’s a great reference, giving listeners the opportunity to see where these new interpretations came from.

Image source: No Man’s Woman MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Ripe” – Ben Lee

Ben Lee has released the feel-good album of the year. The appropriately titled Ripe is a mature effort, bursting with happiness and good vibes.

A more cynical critic may argue that this disc is weaker for its lack of angst, but such positivity is refreshing and very easy to listen to. These critics tend to equate negativity with depth, but to dismiss Ben Lee’s newie is to miss the album’s subtleties.

He’s a very clever lyricist, and this prevents the album’s love songs from drowning in a sea of frothiness and fluff. The quirky phrases are modern and intensely believable. The single “Love Me Like the World Is Ending” is a great indication of the original romantic tunes contained on the disc. The 50s-inspired duet with Mandy Moore, “Birds and Bees,” is also really sweet.

But it’s not all about love. Lust gets a run too in the brutally honest “Sex Without Love.” Ben’s ode to an American urban megastar, “What Would Jay-Z Do?” is surprisingly more convincing than it sounds.

Continue reading ““Ripe” – Ben Lee” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Where We Land” – Damien Leith

Damien Leith’s Australian Idol win ushered in a new era for the reality TV show. For the first time, the victor wasn’t shoved into a recording studio to record a prewritten album in a week. Instead, Damien was given the freedom to create a collection of songs that represented him. Some nine months after he took the Idol crown, Damien’s album Where We Land is in stores and sitting pretty at the top of the charts.

So in sales terms, Sony’s gamble has paid off. Australia hasn’t forgotten about Damien. Instead, they were eagerly awaiting this release. I’m happy to say, the wait was worthwhile.

I wasn’t Damien’s biggest fan during his Idol stint. I certainly didn’t dislike the guy, but I preferred eclectic Bobby Flynn and old-school rocker Chris Murphy. But I really like this record. It’s given Damien a chance to be himself, rather than a karaoke singer, and he’s a richer artist for it.

Time away from the Idol spotlight has given Damien a chance to grow, both professionally and personally. His trademark falsetto is as pure as ever, but he’s managed to reign it in somewhat. Perhaps on Idol Damien felt he needed to rely on those vocal tricks. Now he can focus on crafting tender lyrics and clever melodies.

His personal life has certainly given him fuel for that. After the birth of his second son Jagger, Damien penned the sweet tune “Not Just For the Weekend.” “Beautiful” is a tender ode to his wife. I loved the gentle sadness of “I Still Miss Us,” and “Cold Cold Heart” is rollicking good fun.

Damien made his name from cover versions, and fans will appreciate the ones he’s chosen here. The sparse rendering of Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird” is breathtaking, and the album’s bonus track “Danny Boy” is a fitting nod to his Irish heritage.

Where We Land is a great indication of the potential of Australia’s revamped Idol franchise. If we can unearth this country’s hidden stars, and give them the time to develop albums of this calibre, the future of our local industry looks bright.

Images: Wikimedia and Wikimedia Commons credit: Spud Murphy

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Skin” – Katie Noonan

Katie Noonan’s solo release, Skin, has taken up permanent residence in my stereo. The voice behind supergroup George has produced an album of infectious joy that gets richer with every listen.

It’s been five years since George released their landmark album, Polyserena. A lot has changed for Katie Noonan in that time. Many performers seem to lose their passion once spouses and children enter the picture, but the opposite seems true here. It’s allowed Katie to create songs that are intensely personal, but instantly accessible.

Love is the dominant theme underpinning all the album’s tracks. Not the clichéd love we’ve all heard about a thousand times before, but an emotion that’s deeply personal. Even when romantic love is explored, as in “Logic,” “Love’s My Song For You,” and “Home,” it’s approached with individuality and honesty.

But Katie knows there’s more than romantic love in this world, and Skin examines that too. “Little Boy Man” is a tender expression of love for her son, while the jazzy single “Time To Begin” celebrates love of self.

Continue reading ““Skin” – Katie Noonan” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Slideshows” – Thirsty Merc

Since I bought tickets to see Thirsty Merc in a couple of weeks, I figured it was about time I picked up a copy of Slideshows. As I listened to the opening track’s crunchy guitar chords and clever lyrics I wondered why it took me so long.

The opening ditty, “She’s All I Got” is a corker, with straight-up riffs and a sing-along chorus. It’s backed up by the anthemic radio hit “20 Good Reasons” and new single “The Hard Way.”

There’s a reason why radio loves these guys. They’re genuinely good fun, with cleverly crafted melodies and quirky lyrics. They’ve also become a very safe band, seemingly unwilling to take risks.

That’s not exactly a bad thing, but it does make some of the later album tracks, including “Hey Jacinta” and “She’s My Brother” feel a little tired.

While their self-titled debut showed plenty of cheek in “Emancipate Myself” and “I Wish Somebody Would Build a Bridge,” Slideshows presents none of this naughtiness. It’s a shame.

Slideshows feels like a natural progression for Thirsty Merc. It’s not likely to win them any new fans, but there’s certainly enough here to entertain the ones they have.

For me, it doesn’t have quite the same spark as their first disc, but it’s still a whole lot of fun.

Image source: BigPond Music