As a kid growing up in Australia, I was always a little bit jealous of Americans celebrating Halloween. I thought how wonderful it must be to dress up in scary costumes and score loads of free lollies. I actually tried it once in primary school, but none of the neighbours I visited had any goodies to give me and I didn’t have the heart to toilet paper their houses because of it.
So this year I figured I’m going to celebrate anyway. Everyone else at b5media is doing it, so why can’t I? To get you in the mood, here’s five of the best Australian spooky songs.
I had to kick things off with a little AC/DC. It’d be unAustralian not to. “Highway to Hell” is one of their best, and scariest, with the late great Bon Scott up front.
I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of The Scare. Their brand of chaotic punk just does nothing for me. But with a name like The Scare, and a song called “Bats!Bats!Bats!” I had to include it anyway!
Here’s Australia’s current dancefloor darlings Sneaky Sound System with their spooky hit “UFO.” This is the only live performance I’ve included here, basically because I don’t think the studio recording can match this for energy. Considering this is about spotting UFOs while you’re alone and far from home, it’s a strangely happy tune!
It’s not Halloween without monsters, so here’s the Something for Kate variety. I’ve always thought Paul Dempsey seemed far too calm for a man hunted down by monsters, but this is a very cool song nonetheless.
It wouldn’t be a Halloween list without Australia’s own Prince of Darkness, Nick Cave. “Red Right Hand” may be the creepiest song ever written. I love it!
Here at the b5media music channel, we’ve been chatting about the albums we’d take if we were stranded on a desert island. Sure this list isn’t entirely practical. After all, we rarely get to take the things we want when we’re stranded, and when we get there the batteries in our discman probably won’t last very long.
Honestly, the only purpose such a list does serve is to clue our readers into some of our favourite albums around. They may not be the coolest, or the most critically acclaimed, but each recording means something to us. My Aussie-flavoured list is below. When you finish reading it, make sure you check out some of the other desert island must-haves around the music channel today!
East by Cold Chisel This classic album from Cold Chisel is almost like a best of recording, with songs like “Choir Girl,” “Rising Sun,” “Ita” and “Cheap Wine.” It’s the perfect showcase of Don Walker’s lyrical genius, Mossy’s guitar prowess, and Barnesy’s trademark rock rasp.
Standout track: “Cheap Wine”
White Monkey by Danielle Spencer
She’s better known as Mrs Russell Crowe these days, but in the early part of this decade Danielle Spencer was making some brilliant music. White Monkey features ethereal vocals, lyrics steeped in fairy-tale allusions, electronic melodies, and a whole lot of feminine angst.
Standout track: “White Monkey”
Polyserena by George
Vocalists Katie and Tyrone Noonan help make this album one of surprising diversity. Her songs feature soaring sweet vocals, while his are darker and moodier. There’s a reason why this album won as many awards as it did.
Standout track: “Special Ones”
Torch the Moon by The Whitlams
This album had to make the list for its variety, with tracks ranging from raucous pop songs to plaintive ballads. While many regard Eternal Nightcap as The Whitlams crowning glory, this disc wins by a nose for me. Tim Freedman is in fine form here, living up to his reputation as one of Australia’s great lyrical poets.
Standout track: “Royal in the Afternoon”
Affirmation by Savage Garden I wasn’t sure whether to include Savage Garden’s debut here instead, but in the end their second album won out. My love of “Two Beds and a Coffee Machine” made the decision for me, but there’s much more to this album than this standout track. It’s unashamedly pop, with some surprisingly moving moments.
Standout track: “Two Beds and a Coffee Machine”
Counting Down by Human Nature
The lads from Human Nature have been the butt of many jokes for years, but the truth is they’re very good at what they do. They proved it on their second album, Counting Down. It was a dramatic departure from the bubblegum pop of their debut, combining elements of funk and blue-eyed soul. I may not be a teenage girl anymore, but I still love this.
Standout track: “Counting Down”
Flesh and Wood by Jimmy Barnes Flesh and Wood was also a bit of a departure for Jimmy Barnes. Everyone’s favourite Aussie rocker is better known for screaming his guts out than really singing, but that’s exactly what he does here. Friends like Diesel, Joe Cocker, The Badloves, and Tommy Emmanuel also lend a hand. This is one of those discs I rediscover every now and then, and it always blows me away.
Standout track: “Guilty”
… And The Horse You Rode In On! by James Reyne
Australians all know the songs on this album, tracks made famous by Australian Crawl and James Reyne. But … And The Horse You Rode In On! is more than a best of collection. This album takes these familiar tracks and gives them an acoustic twist, allowing them a new lease of life. I love the simplicity of these raw recordings, which why this makes the list.
Standout track: “Errol”
3000 Feet High by Paul Mac I’d never thought much of techno king Paul Mac’s early work, but when he released 3000 Feet High I stood up and took notice. He maintains his electronic sensibilities but creates songs that resonate beyond the dance floor. The guest vocals by Peta Morris, Abby Dobson, Tex Perkins, and Jacqui Hunt are outstanding. If I feel like grooving on the desert island, I’ll slip this in.
Standout track: “Just the Thing”
World Gone Crazy by The Screaming Jets If I’m stranded on a desert island, I’ll want to hear something that reminds me of home. As a proud Novacastrian, that something is the sounds of The Screaming Jets. This is pub rock served straight up. While World Gone Crazy didn’t have big singles like “Better” or “Helping Hand,” I think it’s their most consistent body of work.
Standout track: “Elvis (I Remember)”
Last night was all about Australian music on Channel Ten, and Australian Idol was no exception. The final five honoured our country’s great music by performing some classic hits and new Aussie tunes.
Judge Mark Holden stepped out from behind the desk this week to mentor the Idols in the studio. All the aspiring singers said they benefited from Mark’s experience.
Matt Corby kicked off the night with a cover of Thirsty Merc’s “20 Good Reasons.” This should have been a good song for Matt, at least if you believe the rumours about his recent split with his girlfriend. However, I didn’t really feel this performance. It was competent, but I think he needs to take it to the next level if he’s going to live up to the hype and be there at the Opera House.
While Matt’s performance was lacklustre, Natalie Gauci’s was sensational. When I heard she was performing “Boys in Town” I was pretty excited, and she didn’t let me down. This is such a strong, gutsy song, and she really delivered it. I was actually a little choked up when she finished! She’s showing more of herself every week, and I’m really enjoying watching her.
I was a bit more nervous when I heard Marty Simpson was taking on the Powderfinger smash, “These Days.” I was so sure he’d tackle a bluesier John Butler Trio song, and wasn’t sure whether he had the depth to pull off this rock ballad. I’m proud to say, he did. Marty’s another competitor who’s showing enormous growth when it counts.
Tarisai Vushe took on The Veronicas’ “When It All Falls Apart,” but she’ll probably be remembered for her tantrum rather than her singing performance. Like many on the Idol forums, Mark and Dicko again commented that they felt little real emotion in her performance. So is she fake? There’s no question that she sang the song well, hitting all the notes just right. But I still feel a wall between her and the audience when she sings. She does seem to hold a lot of herself back, which may be fakery or it may just be nerves. I will say that outbursts like this will endear her to no one.
Carl Riseley closed the show with his cover of Little River Band’s “Reminiscing.” It was a perfect song choice, and despite his sore throat hampering his vocals Carl pulled it off. It’s funny, isn’t it? Technically this probably wasn’t as good as what Tarisai did. But he’s just so likeable that it’s easier to forgive any flaws.
So tonight we’ll say farewell to one more. My money’s on Tarisai to go. There’s a lot of negative publicity out there, and at the end of the day this really is a popularity contest.
It’s no secret: Australians are really good at sport. So I don’t understand why so many athletes decide to tarnish their good reputations by launching singing careers.
Paul “The Chief” Harrogan recently scored a top 10 hit with this Spandau Ballet inspired song “That’s Gold.” Just because it was a hit doesn’t make it any good. While this may be terribly corny, I can forgive him because it raised money for children’s charities.
Anthony Mundine wasn’t helping any good causes when he released “Knock You Out.” The song just gave The Man a chance to big note himself even further. To be fair, musically this isn’t a bad effort. His rapping’s a bit weak, but Joel Turner does enough to cover that up. Just make sure you listen to the words for a really good laugh.
It may have been a big hit in India, but cricket legend Brett Lee’s “You Are The One For Me” is just tragic. The cheesy film clip, those lyrics, the questionable singing talent make this worth watching for all the wrong reasons. Listen out for lyrical gems like “I know I’m different, I’m not from here, I know I’m not an Indy … I’ll make you laugh, I’ll even learn some Hindi.”
Just think yourself lucky that I’ve spared you from the musical offerings of Mark “Jacko” Jackson, Warwick Capper, and members of the Brisbane Broncos.
You might not want to read about their musical efforts (I promise this will be the last time!) but if these guys interest you make sure you check out b5media’s new sports channel. There are 24 brand new blogs here, with news about hockey, soccer, basketball, fishing, poker, and more!
To celebrate the launch, b5media is holding a massive Sports Channel Launch Contest. You could win one of seven awesome sports prize packs!
You can enter by answering some easy sports questions (all the answers can be found on our new blogs!) or writing about the new sports blogs on your own blog. The choice is yours!
Visit this post to read all about the prizes, the trivia questions, and the competition’s terms and conditions. Entries close on October 12. Good luck!
Aussie music royalty will turn out for a massive Max Merritt benefit show at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre on October 21.
The singer, best known for his hit “Slipping Away,” is suffering from Goodpastures Syndrome, a rare condition that has attacked his lungs and kidneys.
Concert for Max will feature an all-star line-up including Ross Wilson, James Reyne, Kevin Borich, Paul Norton, John Paul Young, Swanee, Normie Rowe, Peter Cupples, Dinah Lee, The Delltones, Doug Parkinson, Wilbur Wilde, Spectrum and Daryl Braithwaite. More performers will be announced before the show.
“I am finding it very difficult to adequately express my appreciation for the help and support during my time of extreme personal need,” Max said in a press statement. “Your help is absolutely overwhelming”.
Tickets for the show are available for $75 through Ticketmaster.
A diverse range of Australian artists have made their mark on the ARIA charts this week.
Fergie may have kept her stranglehold on the singles chart with her mammoth hit, “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” but she’s faced stiff competition from Shannon Noll. His new single “Loud” has debuted at number three.
Fellow Australian Idol graduate Ricki-Lee has slipped two places with “Can’t Touch It,” but the pop smash is still sitting pretty at number seven.
Jetsetting folksters The Waifs have debuted at number two with their latest album, Sun Dirt Water. But they couldn’t shift the might of British opera star Paul Potts, who holds the number one spot for the second week with One Chance.
The Waifs have pushed Damien Leith’s album Where We Land to number four. The John Butler Trio’s Grand National and Powderfinger’sDream Days at the Hotel Existence round out the top ten. They’re holding steady at ninth and tenth spot.
The husky sexiness of Abby Dobson’s voice has been a delightful fixture on the Australian musical landscape for some time. She helped make “Even When I’m Sleeping,” her massive 1998 single with Leonardo’s Bride, an instant classic. Her guest spots on Paul Mac’s first solo disc were magical.
Abby’s set to wow us again with her solo debut, Rise Up. She’s worked with some in the business for the release, including old buddy Paul Mac, Josh Pyke, and 78 Saab’s Nicholai Danko.
Rise Up is in stores from October 6, but fans in Melbourne and Sydney can get a sneak peek when Abby plays a couple of very special shows next month. She’ll appear at Melbourne’s Northcote Social on September 19 and The Basement in Sydney on September 27.
In the meantime, check out the video for her new single “Shining Star.”
It seems Shannon’s not the only Noll bitten by the music bug. His brothers Adam and Damian are poised to release their first single “Shining Star.”
You may have noticed The Noll Brothers performing in Shannon’s band. Adam played guitar while Damian played drums, and they helped write “The Way That I Fell.”
Now they’re striking out on their own, with some impressive country tunes. “Shining Star” hits stores on September 15, but you can see the film clip below. The single is from the album A Country Heart, which is slated for a November release.
Ben had a typically dramatic and quirky vision for the new clip. He hoped to assemble a cast of colourful characters, including a businessman, a homeless man, a rabbi, a Muslim, and a unicorn. No problems there.
He also imagined a couple of skateboarders, wearing nude bodysuits, would then zoom around New York City. But it seems something got lost in translation, because the skateboarders took to the streets in the buff. The cops were quickly on the scene and the crew’s shooting license was revoked.
The new, fully-clothed clip features a much tamer giant water-balloon fight!
This week’s song obsession is more correctly a video obsession. Powderfinger’s latest effort, “I Don’t Remember” isn’t a bad slice of Oz rock. However, this film clip featuring a bunch of music loving kiddies proves a lot more entertaining.
This clip is a fantastic parody of the Aussie music industry, centered around the Powderfinger-esque Little Finger. Silverchair cleverly becomes Hi Chair, while Wolfmother are more appropriately called Wolfmummy. And who needs cocaine and cigarettes when you’ve got Wizz Fizzes and Fadds? These kids really know how to party.
