NEW MUSIC: Ben Frost | Venter
Ben Frost is one of those unique composers working in the electronic realm who is able to harness the visceral nature of music. His tools are synthetic yet he always seems to build tangible, almost organic elements into his work. Live he does the some thing, bringing a physicality to his performance as he bends and turns dials and switches. He was spellbinding at ATP … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Ben Frost | Venter
LIVE REVIEW: Queens of the Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails @ Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney (06/03/14)
Eschewing the trend of recent years for hard rock bands to base their touring around festivals such as Soundwave and to a lesser extent Big Day Out, Josh Homme and Trent Reznor decided they could have more fun and deliver a better show for the fans by teaming up as a double-headed alt-rock tag team and playing ten arena shows across Australasia. Who would play … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Queens of the Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails @ Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney (06/03/14)
LIVE REVIEW: Alice in Chains, Down, Walking Papers @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (25/03/14)
Walking Papers had a high curiosity factor, primarily for their members including Duff McKagan (G N’R) and drummer Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees, Mad Season) but with a fine opening set they showed they were the full band deal with singer/guitarist Jeff Angell working the mic stand, doing hat tricks and venturing into the audience for their final slice of dark psych-laden rock. Down have been … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Alice in Chains, Down, Walking Papers @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (25/03/14)
NEW MUSIC: Amaya Laucirica | Prettier Than Sound
Amaya Laucirica (VIC) has a brand new record Sway ready to be released on April 14th and it features the great first single Prettier Than Sound which you can stream below. The song includes Adalita on backing vocals and JP Shilo on guitar and they conjure up a wonderful hazy, shimmering track with billowing harmonies and cascading textural guitars. Laucirica’s upcoming tour dates are also … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Amaya Laucirica | Prettier Than Sound
ALBUM REVIEW: Wild Beasts | Present Tense
Wild Beasts have been on something of an evolutionary arc with each album showcasing their willingness to dig deep into creative corners and musically chance their hearts and heads. Present Tense continues that trend, taking them further into the world of lush electronica. They’ve always been a band built on the tremendous voices of Haydn Thorpe and Tom Fleming, a strength they readily accept and … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Wild Beasts | Present Tense
NEW MUSIC: Spain release new LP Sargent Place
A new Spain album is always cause for celebration. Ever since the classic debut The Blue Moods Of Spain in 1995 they’ve continued to release beautiful albums that showcase their jazz-tinged slowcore songs. Sargent Place was produced by Gus Seyffert (The Black Keys, Beck, Norah Jones) and mixed by Darrell Thorp (Beck, Radiohead, Atoms For Peace, Paul McCartney). It has just been released by Glitterhouse … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Spain release new LP Sargent Place
LIVE REVIEW: INFINITY BROKE, GOLDEN BLONDE, DARREN CROSS @ BRIGHTON UP BAR (27/02/14)
Darren Cross opened the evening with a fine set of songs that showed the extent to which he has mastered the art of gothic country song. He wove narratives around characters and situations with both emotional resonance and clever wordplay and it never felt hokey or contrived in that most American of genres. His voice, as the years have passed, has taken on real character and … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: INFINITY BROKE, GOLDEN BLONDE, DARREN CROSS @ BRIGHTON UP BAR (27/02/14)
NEWS: Soundgarden to release 20th Anniversary Edition of Superunknown
Soundgarden look to have gone all out in marking 20 years since the release of their album Superunknown.They have two deluxe reissue CD sets coming out plus a 200gm vinyl pressing and a special 5×10″ vinyl set for Record Store Day this April. 10-Inch Vinyl Box Set: Due out on April 19 for Record Store Day, this set will include all five Superunknown singles and … Continue reading NEWS: Soundgarden to release 20th Anniversary Edition of Superunknown
NEW MUSIC: The Horrors | I See You
The Horrors have announced their new LP Luminous will be released on May 5th. Apparently they were determined to make an album that was brighter, more positive and more electronic and they’ve certainly achieved that based on I See You, the first taste of the new album. Tracklisting: Chasing Shadows First Day Of Spring So Now You Know In and Out Of Sight Jealous Sun … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: The Horrors | I See You
NEW MUSIC: Afghan Whigs | Algiers
Afghan Whigs surprised quite a few people recently with their Bob Odenkirk – assisted announcement that they’re releasing their first new album in 16 years this April. Do to the Beast is coming out via Sub Pop Records (April 15th), was mostly recorded at Josh Homme’s Pink Duck studio and includes contributions from Alain Johannes (QOTSA), Clay Tarver (Chavez), Mark McGuire (Emeralds) and others. Here’s … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Afghan Whigs | Algiers
LIVE REVIEW: King Krule @ OAF, Sydney (04/02/14)
Opening for King Krule was another (in his own words) red-headed, white guy with guitar in the form of Pond’s Nick Allbrook. Playing a fairly rare solo set he showed he doesn’t necessarily need a full band around him to convey the strength of his writing and enigmatic stage presence. Playing guitar over rhythm-section loops Allbrook balanced hip hop beats with a psych and yacht … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: King Krule @ OAF, Sydney (04/02/14)
ALBUM REVIEW: Neil Finn | Dizzy Heights
Neil Finn is an artist who is always searching for and experimenting with new ways to satisfy his muse. He’s a pan-genre musician capable of immersing himself in pop, art-rock, acoustic balladry and groove-based experimentalism and he masters most of them. On Dizzy Heights he applies a new psychedelic and fantastical pop-art filter to his songs with mixed results. Finn worked with producer Dave Fridmann … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Neil Finn | Dizzy Heights
Doubtful Sounds 