LIVE REVIEW: Queens Of The Stone Age @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (02/03/11)
written by Chris Familton Apart from a few diversions on recent albums, Queens Of The Stone Age have been one of the more consistent rock bands of the last 13 years and to celebrate the journey so far the band decided to treat us to a run through of their landmark self-titled debut album. Of course there was the obligatory encore to add a handful … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Queens Of The Stone Age @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (02/03/11)
ALBUM REVIEW: British Sea Power | Valhalla Dancehall
written by Chris Familton British Sea Power have always been a curious band with their inventive stage costumes, gig locations and a seemingly grab-bag approach to the form their music takes at any given time. Their early anthems like Remember Me led many to paint them as rousing post punk Brits in the vein of Franz Ferdinand but they would then take a left turn … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: British Sea Power | Valhalla Dancehall
LIVE REVIEW: Matt Purcell & The Blessed Curse/Knievel/ Sam Shinazzi @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney (24/02/10)
written by Chris Familton Sam Shinazzi performed as a duo with guitarist Barry Adamson, even though their drummer was in attendance but opted out as he was playing with Matt Purcell later. The minimal framework for the songs served to highlight Shinazzi’s forlorn and love-lost lyrics while at the same time leaving the songs feel somewhat exposed and fragile. A closing cover of Springsteen’s Dancing … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Matt Purcell & The Blessed Curse/Knievel/ Sam Shinazzi @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney (24/02/10)
ALBUM REVIEW: Anna Calvi | Anna Calvi
written by Chris Familton It is rare these days that a debut album comes along that pricks up the ears and makes you stop what you are doing and take a closer listen. Sure there are heaps of great first time releases coming out all the time but they usually fit into ‘flavour of the month’ boxes or have been hyped so we already know … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Anna Calvi | Anna Calvi
ds recommends… Iowa
Melbourne’s Iowa sound great… heavy, chunky distorted guitars that come in waves like Dinosaur Jr and Crazy Horse soaked in shoegaze. Indecipherable vocals moan and yearn with just the right amount of angst and ache and you get that warm sense of familiarity comforting and invigorating your ears. They have a new red 7″ of Lose Yourself/Reasons out now and you can order it or … Continue reading ds recommends… Iowa
FIRST LISTEN: Hear the new song from Wild Beasts…
Albatross, the first track from the forthcoming Wild Beasts album Smother has surfaced and you can hear it below. Sounding a little underwhelming on the first few listens, there are some nice soft melodies that eventually emerge amid the twinkling electronics. The album is released on Domino on 9th May 2011 on CD, 12″ vinyl, and digital download. Smother was recorded in late 2010 in a remote part … Continue reading FIRST LISTEN: Hear the new song from Wild Beasts…
The Imminent Arrival of The Clean…
In honour of The Clean’s first Australian tour in 20 years, here is an interview I did with David Kilgour last year plus a review of their last album Mister Pop. The good news is that currently the band are also in the studio recording some stuff for a probable EP release before they head back to their respective parts of the world. DAVID KILGOUR … Continue reading The Imminent Arrival of The Clean…
VIDEO: Ghost Wave | Sunsetter
Another sparkling indie pop band emerges from New Zealand… Ghost Wave are signed to Arch Hill Recordings, home of Surf City and Street Chant and David Kilgour. With a propulsive psych pop sound they look to be continuing the lineage of great off-centre music to come from Aotearoa. The band have an EP due out April 4th. Continue reading VIDEO: Ghost Wave | Sunsetter
VIDEO: The Strokes | Under Cover Of Darkness
ALBUM REVIEW: The Veils | Troubles Of The Brain EP
written by Chris Familton Finn Andrews has been toiling away under the moniker of The Veils since they released their debut The Runaway Found back in 2004. They followed it up with the fantastic and underrated Nux Vomica which seemed to attract critical acclaim but no groundswell of wider popularity. Their last release Sun Kings had moments of greatness but seemed to stray a little … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: The Veils | Troubles Of The Brain EP
LIVE REVIEW: Black Mountain @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney (19/02/11)
written by Chris Familton Black Mountain were repeating their March 2009 two night stand at the Annandale – a venue that perfectly suits their psych, stoner rock sound. It needs to be filtered through beer, sticky floors and humid air to really connect and feel like the real deal. The Night Terrors proved to be a nice counterpoint to the more traditional sounds of the … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Black Mountain @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney (19/02/11)
LIVE REVIEW: M. Ward @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (20/02/11)
written by Chris Familton As M. Ward admitted tonight it had been a while since his last visit and he was touring to promote his album Post War that came out two years ago. That didn’t make for much of a deterrence to the fans who packed out a reduced ‘intimate’ Enmore Theatre for a solo performance. Holly Throsby played a set that showcased some … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: M. Ward @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (20/02/11)
Doubtful Sounds 