ALBUM REVIEW: Grinderman | Grinderman 2 RMX
by Chris Familton Nick Cave and co aren’t known for sending out their songs for remixes but in light of the band’s recent dissolution this is perhaps a loosening of the reins, an opening of arms to collaboration and reinterpretation of songs from their 2010 swansong LP Grinderman 2. The first thing that catches the … Read more
ALBUM REVIEW: Lee Ranaldo | Between The Times And The Tides
by Chris Familton When news began to spread across the blogosphere that Lee Ranaldo had a new solo album coming out there would have been mixed reactions for fans of his work in Sonic Youth. Would this be a showcase for his esoteric experimental guitar-scapes (like 2008‘s Maelstrom From Drift) or a journey deeper into … Read more
ALBUM REVIEW: Iowa | Never Saw It Coming
by Chris Familton The boom in popularity of psych rock from Tame Impala to Wooden Shjips has well and truly filtered down to the emergence of new local acts like The Laurels and Melbourne’s Iowa. For a genre so firmly rooted in guitars and hypnotic rhythm sections there are surprisingly few bands who can take … Read more
ALBUM REVIEW: Charlie Horse | I Hope I’m Not A Monster
by Chris Familton Laughing Outlaw Records have already released some fine albums in 2012 and the latest is the debut from Charlie Horse. As the name suggests they are firmly in americana and country rock territory though not of the gentle strum and folk leaning variety. Instead they are riding a more ragged and parched … Read more
NEWS: New releases from The Beatles, McCartney and Harrison
There is (as usual) much happening on the Beatles-related front with upcoming releases of Paul McCartney’s RAM, George Harrison outtakes and Yellow Submarine. Paul McCartney | RAM – released May 22nd, 2012 Standard Edition: 1 CD digipak Single disc, digitally remastered 12- track standard edition Special Edition: 2 CD digipak Remastered album and 8-track bonus audio … Read more
NEWS: Patti Smith to release new album ‘Banga’
On June 5th Patti Smith will release her eleventh studio album Banga via Columbia Records. The album is preceded by the sweetly swinging single April Fool featuring Tom Verlaine (Television) on guitar. Inspired by Smith’s unique dreams and observations, Banga’s poetic lyrics are a reflection of our complex world a world that is rife with … Read more
LIVE REVIEW: Dig It Up!: The Hoodoo Gurus Invitational @ Enmore, Sydney (22/04/12)
by Chris Familton Artist curated events like this have been extremely popular overseas in recent years, primarily due to the success of All Tomorrow’s Parties. Unfortunately here in Australia similar festivals have been few and far between with the most notable being the 2009 ATP shows in the hands of Nick Cave. The Hoodoo Gurus … Read more
WATCH: Neil Young & Crazy Horse | Oh Susannah [NEW]
Here it is, the first single from the brand new Neil Young & Crazy Horse LP Americana. The album is the band’s first since Greendale in 2003 and and their first with the full Crazy Horse line-up of Billy Talbot, Ralph Molina and Frank ‘Poncho’ Sampedro since the underwhelming Broken Arrow in 1996. The band sounds fresh … Read more
LIVE REVIEW: My Morning Jacket @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (03/04/12)
by Chris Familton My Morning Jacket did the early attendees a great service in bringing Dawes down to Australia with them and it was a real shame more people weren’t there to get a taste of their straightforward Americana that caught the ear with its plentiful use of space and some nice power pop dynamics. … Read more
ALBUM REVIEW: dEUS | Keep You Close
by Chris Familton Belgian band dEUS are onto their sixth album in a career that stretches twenty years, yet they have made little impact in this part of the world since their first few albums in the second half of the 90s. Back then they were one of the bands that seemed to straddle the … Read more
LIVE REVIEW: Charlie Horse, Suzy Connolly @ Sandringham Hotel, Sydney (19/04/12)
written by Chris Familton Despite some sound issues/delays Charlie Horse and Suzy Connolly both played great sets at The Sando last night. Charlie Horse seemed to convert their frustrations into some fiery playing with Paul McDonald throwing rock shapes on guitar and Matt Brown almost overpowering the PA with his superb drumming. Out front Crystal … Read more
INTERVIEW: Deep Sea Arcade
WATER BIRTH OUTLANDS HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING BUT FINALLY DEEP SEA ARCADE’S DEBUT LP EMERGES FROM THE DEEP. NIC MCKENZIE TAKES CHRIS FAMILTON THROUGH ITS GESTATION. Imagine arriving in the UK for the first time with your band, feeling jet lagged yet full of excitement at the chance to play to people on … Read more
