Film Clips – Page 185

Posted on 19/11/200721/03/2023 by Lauren Katulka

My Top 10 Aussie Guilty Pleasures

This month we’ve been talking about guilty pleasures in the music channel. We all have them, those songs we love but we rarely admit to. From the silliest pop song to the most overblown power ballad, we’re lifting the lid on our secret indulgences. I’ve decided to make this a video post as many of these film clips are so tragic they’re guilty pleasures too.

Olivia Newton-John has produced some of the greatest guilty pleasures around, so choosing just one for my top ten was a tall order. But I’ve gone with “Xanadu,” from the movie which is also a bit of a guilty pleasure. The terrible ’80s fashion, more roller skates than I think I’ve ever seen in a film clip, it’s brilliant.

I admit it, I’ve been a Human Nature fan for years. I loved them way before they were schmoozing with Motown legends. I loved them when were singing disposable pop songs, and when they were dancing their way around Sydney in terrible film clips. This music video for “Got It Goin’ On” brings together these loves.

Speaking of early musical crushes, I bring you Invertigo. Now there’s a name you haven’t heard in a while, right? They only made one album, and when I listen to it now it’s more than a little bit cheesy. But “Chances Are” is still a great song, and I still love this film clip because Christian Argenti gets all wet in it. Oooer.

And before they were Invertigo, they were Pseudo Echo (well three quarters of them were anyway). Some people may have chosen “Funky Town” for the list, but I maintain their version is far superior to the original. No, the real guilty pleasure is “Listening,” with its big ’80s electro beats and that ridiculously catchy chorus.

I’ve always thought 1927’s “If I Could” was one of the most romantic songs ever written. But we all know how cringe-worthy a good dose of cheesy romance is, particularly when it’s wrapped up in a power ballad. I’m not sure what happened to 1927, but I’m glad they left us this.

While we’re on the topic of romance, they don’t get much soppier than “Especially for You.” Everything about this Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan song is terrible. The lyrics are awful. The film clip is so frustrating (how do they keep missing one another?!). And the less said about Kylie’s perm, the better. But against the odds, I love it.

Neighbours has given us a few guilty pleasures hasn’t it? Another soapie star who decided to give singing a try was Craig McLachlan. Here he is with his band Check 1-2 and his mullet singing out “Mona.” Just try to get this out of your head.

Yes indeed, before he was a soap star in America Rick Springfield was just a kid from Sydney. Sure he didn’t do a lot more than “Jessie’s Girl,” but this song is such a guilty pleasure that I can forgive him. He may not have been a very good dancer, but he was so handsome!

I believe every country deserves a hair band, a group of lads with big fluffy dos capable of belting out an epic ballad. America had Poison, Sweden had Europe, England had Whitesnake, and Australia had Roxus. Sure there was just that one big album, but it spawned the monster hit “Where Are You Now?” I’m actually wondering that myself! Surely there’s another album left in them.

The ’80s really were all about guilty pleasures, weren’t they? So I figured it was only fitting to end on another gem from the decade that taste forgot, “Change in Mood” by Kids in the Kitchen. This is Aussie New Wave at its best (or worst depending on your point of view).

So there you have it. I’ve spilled my guts, now it’s your turn. I want to hear your guiltiest musical pleasures. Don’t be shy!

Posted on 08/11/200721/03/2023 by Lauren Katulka

Old Man River’s a Ray of Sunshine

Old Man River will brighten up your summer with their new single “Sunshine.”

Funnily enough, they’ve opted to tour the chilly regions of Europe to celebrate its release. They’ll kick off their Italian dates at Milan’s La Casa 139 tomorrow night, before visiting Scandiano, Brescia, Rome, and Ancona. They’ll arrive in Germany on the 17th, and play Hamburg, Munich, Berlin and Koln.

But never fear Aussies. Old Man River will be back before the jetlag kicks in to play a string of shows, including Homebake, the Peats Ridge Festival, and The Falls.

You’d think they’d be tired of touring after all that, but Old Man River are just getting started. In early 2008 they’ll take their delicious blend of folk and pop to Japan, Canada, and the United States.

Image source: Shmulix15 @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on 05/11/200721/03/2023 by Lauren Katulka

Australian Idol Does Big Band

Glitz and glamour was the order of the day, as our Australian Idol top four performed the swing stylings of big band. Some felt right at home with the standards, while other struggled.

Carl Riseley has become the show’s resident swing king, and he did a pretty decent job within his comfort zone. My biggest problem with Carl when he performs in this style is that he shows little originality. While I’m a big Michael Bublé fan, I don’t really like his take on “Me and Mrs Jones.” Just like Michael’s, Carl’s version showed none of the sexiness of the original. The song is about sex more than romance, and both singers seem to miss that point. However, I do think it was vocally stronger than his second performance, “Just Kiss Me.” Those lyrics are just frenetic, and I don’t think he was in the pocket for much of it. However, he’s become a real showman and it was an entertaining effort. I agree with the judges: this was meant to be Carl’s night and he really needed to do more than anyone else to wow us.

Marty Simpson was always going to find tonight more difficult than any of the other Idols, and it showed. He was very clever, choosing modern songs he already connected with and giving them a big band reworking. The arrangements were really very good, but his stage manner showed he wasn’t confident in them. It’s a shame. I thought “American Baby” sounded great, but I would have loved a little more fire from “Light My Fire.”

Matt Corby came next, with some average efforts. He too looked a little uncomfortable, but there was no denying his vocal abilities. First up was Michael Bublé’s take on James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is,” and then the more traditional big band song “Beyond the Sea.” Overall I was a bit bored by it. The emotional connection I’m used to from Matt was missing, and his performances suffered for it.

Natalie Gauci was last night’s real surprise package. She came out with a stunning rendition of “Orange Coloured Sky” and backed it up with “How High the Moon.” Either performance could have earned her a touchdown, but Mark waited until the end to give it to her, her third touchdown in a row. Natalie’s definitely peaking right now, and I think she deserves to be at the Opera House more than anyone else.

I think either Marty or Carl’s number may be up this week. Marty’s performances were probably the weakest, but he’s got a really strong fan base who must realise he’s more vulnerable this week than he’s ever been. Carl should have shone here, and he didn’t. He did better than Matt, but the teenagers aren’t going to let Mr Corby go just yet.

Posted on 31/10/200719/01/2023 by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Halloween Hits

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!

Image source: Colton Sturgeon @ Unsplash

Posted on 29/10/200719/01/2023 by Lauren Katulka

10 Desert Island Discs From Down Under

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)”

Image source: Sergio Jara @ Unsplash

Posted on 29/10/200719/01/2023 by Lauren Katulka

Australian Idol Delivers Homegrown Hits

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.

Posted on 03/10/200709/01/2023 by Lauren Katulka

Sports Stars Turned Singers

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!

Posted on 20/09/200703/12/2017 by Lauren Katulka

Stars Play For Max Merritt

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.

Posted on 11/09/200703/12/2017 by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Artists Climbing The Charts

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’s Dream Days at the Hotel Existence round out the top ten. They’re holding steady at ninth and tenth spot.

Posted on 26/08/200720/12/2022 by Lauren Katulka

Abby Dobson Rises Up With Solo Release

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.”

Lauren Katulka cannot remember a time when music was not a part of her life. Raised on an eclectic diet of Van Morrison, The Eagles, Cold Chisel, and Barbra Streisand, she remembers saving all her pocket money for weeks so she could buy cassettes featuring her favourite singers. At the tender age of 11 she saw her first live concert when Jimmy Barnes took his Soul Deep tour to Newcastle’s Civic Theatre. There was no looking back.

Today Lauren is a happily married freelance writer living on the New South Wales Central Coast. When she's not obsessing about the latest band, or some old favourite, she loves to roller-skate, experiment with new recipes, play pub trivia, and watch indie films.

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