I’ve been on a bit of a shoe gaze vibe of late, what with the My Bloody Valentine reissues, an interview with Ride’s Mark Gardener and the excellent gig from The Horrors earlier in the year. The influence of that sound from the late 80s / early 90s is still resonating in the music of a ton of new bands and one that I’ve come … Continue reading Song Of The Week: Toy | Left Myself Behind
Neil Young & Crazy Horse have released the fourth video from their new LP Americana which is due to be released June 5th. God Save The Queen casts the English national anthem in a new light with backing choir and that iconic stomping Crazy Horse rhythm section. Though not as good as the first songs we’ve heard (Clementine, Oh Susannah and Jesus’ Chariot) it is still a damn sight better than the usual … Continue reading WATCH: Neil Young & Crazy Horse | God Save The Queen
We are always on the lookout for new bands who can put a new or refreshing twist on noisy rock n roll guitar music. Among the mass of standard copyists the good ones always stand out and locally here in Australia acts like Iowa, Money For Rope, Charlie Horse and others are flying the flag. This morning I came across these guys out of Melbourne … Continue reading WATCH: The Peep Tempel | Mister Lester Moore
by Chris Familton Many will know Josh Tillman as the ex drummer for Fleet Foxes but for those who have followed his solo work over seven albums of stark folk music will know him better as a fine purveyor of intimate and emotional songwriting in the vein of Will Oldham, Vic Chesnutt and Damien Jurado. Now Tillman has taken lead from Oldham (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy) … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Father John Misty | Fear Fun
by Chris Familton Artists get hyped beyond belief in this day and age so when a true legend whose discography spans thirty two years announces a rare Australian tour, his diehard fans and the wider public quite rightly get excited. Prince’s aversion to the media and interviews has given him an aura of mystique, much the same way as Dylan and over his career he … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Prince @ Allphones Arena, Sydney (11/05/12)
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 eye is the list of other artists that have contributed … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Grinderman | Grinderman 2 RMX
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 his poetry-laced art rock songs that pepper the many Sonic … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Lee Ranaldo | Between The Times And The Tides
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 that simplistic template and create something unique and impressive from … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Iowa | Never Saw It Coming
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 sound that tips its hat to the likes of The … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Charlie Horse | I Hope I’m Not A Monster
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 CD including rarities, b-sides and the hit single, ‘Another Day’. … Continue reading NEWS: New releases from The Beatles, McCartney and Harrison
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 chaos and beauty. Praised for her storytelling abilities, Smith has … Continue reading NEWS: Patti Smith to release new album ‘Banga’
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 have sought to rectify the situation with Dig It Up! … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Dig It Up!: The Hoodoo Gurus Invitational @ Enmore, Sydney (22/04/12)
Doubtful Sounds 