Another year comes to a close and it’s time for the end-of-year lists to be revealed. Here at Doubtful Sounds we’ve had another 12 months deeply immersed in Americana music (alt. country & folk) so you’ll find plenty of albums from that genre on the list below. That’s not to say we didn’t listen to plenty of other styles of music. As usual we wrapped … Continue reading Favourite Albums of 2015
The Holy Soul have been a constant on the Sydney independent music scene for over a decade with their own releases, countless gigs and collaborations with the likes of Robyn Hitchcock, Damo Suzuki (Can) and David Thomas (Pere Ubu). They should be recognised as heroes of the underground, indeed in many circles they are. This album reinforces and enhances that reputation. The Gareth Liddiard-produced Fortean … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: The Holy Soul – Fortean Times
Only emerging from the Melbourne scene earlier this year, Gold Class’ art is seemingly fully formed; from the artwork to their visual aesthetic and musical take on the brittle and dynamic world of post-punk. To do so in the contemporary climate where the album doesn’t hold the same cultural and economic cache it once did is an admirable approach. There were no early singles showing … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Gold Class – It’s You
On their fourth album Here We Go Magic have lost some of their magic. While 2012’s A Different Ship radiated a rhythmic warmth Be Small feels just that – restrained, inferior and a retreat from the potential the band had to step outside of the shadows of contemporaries such as Radiohead and Grizzly Bear. There’s a late resurrection with the nimble electronic pulse of Tokyo … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Here We Go Magic – Be Small
Their debut Jersey Flegg initially received no attention on its release but it quickly built a fanbase around its concept (rugby league) and sonic palette. Illywhacka hits similar territory musically and again they’ve loosely based it around a theme, this time online dating. There are shades of Real Estate, Girls and Mac DeMarco in the trembling and shimmering guitars and the way the bass dances … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: You Beauty – Illywhacka
Tindersticks rearranged my universe in a small way when I first heard their Simple Pleasure album in 1999. It was around the same time that I fell for Lambchop, Mogwai and various other bands that dealt in graceful musical moods and atmosphere. I’ve followed them ever since, getting that sense of anticipation at hearing that warm melancholic tone of Stuart Staples over his bandmates’ new … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Tindersticks – Hey Lucinda
It’s only been two years since the release of Blackbird, making this a quick follow-up in the world of Fat Freddy’s Drop. The reassuring thing about the Wellington band is that as their stock has risen they haven’t compromised their musical approach by shortening songs or devolving them to standard structures in the pursuit of hit singles. They continue as they left off on the … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Fat Freddy’s Drop – Bays
Flying Nun Records in partnership with Captured Tracks have announced they’re reissuing two seminal New Zealand albums. On November 13th Chris Knox’s Seizure (with the 1st pressing artwork) and Tall Dwarfs‘ first full length album Weeville will be available on vinyl and CD. Artist: Chris Knox Title: Seizure Label: Flying Nun Records Year: 1990. Re-Issued 2015 Cat #: FN125 Formats: 12″ LP, CD + Digital PRE-ORDER Track List: … Continue reading REISSUE NEWS: Flying Nun & Captured Tracks To Reissue Chris Knox & Tall Dwarfs LPs
It’s been a slow-build for the Adelaide quartet since they first emerged with the near perfect jangle pop of single Chills in 2012. After the Badlands EP of the following year it was assumed a debut album was imminent yet what followed was a two year wait punctuated by a slow drip feed of sublime singles. Now the highly anticipated full length has finally arrived … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Bad Dreems – Dogs At Bay
It’s hard to imagine why Protomartyr aren’t more popular than they are. They’ve already captured their visceral and dystopian post punk sound across two excellent albums. The Agent Intellect continues that fine form and pushes the dynamic even further into primal rhythms with wire-brush screes of guitar and the distinctive disaffected howl and Mark E Smith-styled rant of frontman Joe Casey. The way they sonically … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Protomartyr – The Agent Intellect
Dan Kelly has hit his finest streak of songwriting on his latest solo album. There’s a sense of pop wonderment about these songs as they diversify into all kinds of colourful shapes. Sometimes it’s dripping with sweet soul ‘(Haters’), drifting on a cloud of dream-pop (‘National Park‘) or hitting interstellar overdrive on the epic pulsing krautrock of the opening track. The psychedelic flavour of Kelly’s … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Dan Kelly – Leisure Panic
On their new EP Flyying Colours take their sound a step further, refining their songwriting into a near perfect collision of pop melodies and shoegaze textures. The expected touchstones of Ride, MBV and Chapterhouse are all there but they’re filtered through a gauze that is equal parts Smashing Pumpkins and dream pop. The songs are tight and the rhythm section drives the songs along with … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Flyying Colours – ROYGBIV
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