Friday 30 January 2009

Great Covers

Ben Harper - "Sexual Healing" (Marvin Gaye)


Josh Pyke - "Under the Milky Way" (The Church)
Live on Triple J - Like a Version


Paul Kelly & Katy Steele - "This Mess We're In" (Thom Yorke & PJ Harvey)
Live on Rockwiz
I think this version is better than the original which I also love, but Paul Kelly's voice sounds better on this cover than he ever has before in my opinion.


Holly Throsby - "Berlin Chair" (You Am I)
Live on Triple J - Like a Version

Wednesday 28 January 2009

Big Day Out 09 - Melbourne - Jan 26 2009

My Big Day Out started at 11am this year, at the Newmarket Tavern. It was meant to be a meeting place and a "couple of beers" but it turned into a 3 hour schooner marathon that left me a bit shabby. Not to mention missing a few bands i really wanted to see, especially Eddy Current Suppression Ring. But the beer was delicious on such a nice day and after dragging myself away we made our way down. The 1st band we got to see was The Ting Tings, they had already been playing a while when we got there but we got to hear a few hits from the bar including "Shut Up and Let Me Go" and set closer "That's Not My Name". Next were the Black Kids, who's debut album Partie Tramautic has been on high rotation for my wife and I and the only band we both really wanted to see. They sounded better live than I had expected, doing perfect versions of "I Wanna be Your Limosuine", "Partie Traumatic" and "Listen to your Body Tonight". We had to leave a bit early so we could see TV on the Radio, and regretted not catching their show at the Corner on the Saturday night before.

TV on the Radio played a set that covered their whole career, and a bunch of hits were played early in their set. When TVOTR belted out "Dancing Choose" it sent me running into the crowd for a better look which was then followed by "The Golden Age" and "Wolf Like Me" which all sounded amazing and the peak of the set. Finishing with "Staring at the Sun", it was a very enjoyable set but was on a bit too early for me to get excited.

The next half and hour was spent trying to work out where the boiler room was, the map provided only confused things. Eventually we found it after overhearing "Superstar" and following the sound and caught the last 2 songs by Lupe Fiasco which sounded great, especially "Day Dreaming" which was the only song I wnated to see anyway.

Next up were My Morning Jacket and they were awesome. Opening with "Evil Urges" they played an energetic set full of wicked guitar solos and thumping drums and was the highlight of the day so far. Highlights of the set included "Off the Record" and "Wordless Chorus" from the album Z and "I'm Amazed" and "Highly Suspicious" from latest album Evil Urges. I then shot over to the Essential Stage to catch the end of The Drones set, wishing they had started half an hour later. I watched Cut Copy with little interest for a few songs and then headed to the main stage for the 2 headliners, catching the last 15 mins of The Living End who sounded good.

Arctic Monkeys went straight into their fine style of geezer rock and played a very enjoyable set to warm us up for the main act of Neil Young. My highlights were great versions of "When the Sun Goes Down", "Brianstorm", "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and a great sped-up version of Nick Cave's "Red Right Hand". By the end of the Arctic Monkeys set, the anticipation for Neil Young was unbearable as we discussed what tracks he might be playing.

The chants for Neil Young (or "Youngy" as he had been drunkenly shortened to by this stage)were coming thick and fast now and we weren't left waiting long as he took to the stage not long after 8:30, much to my excitement. The hits were played early on with a kick arse version of "Hey Hey, My My" and as it's killer riff echoed through the crowd, I couldn't help notice that it was nowhere near big enough for such a legend. For the next half an hour we were treated to excellent versions of "Everybody Knows, This is Nowhere", "Cortez the Killer" and "Cinnamon Girl". But the best was yet to come as we were treated to 3 classics in a row from one of the best albums of all time, Harvest. Neil came out solo for "The Needle and the Damage Done" as chills ran down my spine and I realised I was witnessing something very special. As he warmed up his harmonica and broke into a brilliant version of "Heart of Gold", I officially crowned Youngy the King of the BDO. My favourite moment of the day then followed as he played perfect rendition of "Old Man", and by the time the banjo kicked in I was almost in tears. To close the set, the crowd went off to the often covered "Rockin' in the Free World" and the classic Beatles track "A Day in the Life". As I made my way out I got to hear Prodigy belt out their 90's anthem "Breathe" and left the festival with a smile from ear to ear.

Tuesday 27 January 2009

Triple J's hottest 100 - 2008 | triple j

Click this link to see the results of the worlds biggest music poll, which I think was a bit average this year, especially the Top 20.

Countdown | triple j hottest 100 - 2008 | triple j

And here are the 100 songs that nearly made it, which has more of my year's favourites.

http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/kingsmill/playlist/s2475563.htm





Triple J's Hottest 100 Vol 16 will be available to buy on March 7th 2009. Here is the tracklisting and artwork from the forthcoming double cd. Considering it was an average Hottest 100 list, it is a pretty decent compilation.




Track Listing:
Disc 1
1. Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire
2. Mgmt - Kids
3. Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream
4. The Presets - Talk Like That
5. The Living End - White Noise
6. Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss A Beat
7. Emiliana Torrini - Jungle Drum
8. Drapht - Jimmy Recard
9. Cut Copy - Lights & Music
10. Bon Iver - Skinny Love
11. Mystery Jets & Laura Marling - Young Love
12. Ladyhawke - My Delirium
13. Dizzee Rascal / Calvin Harris / Chrome - Dance Wiv Me
14. Cold War Kids - Something Is Not Right With Me
15. Ida Maria - I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked
16. Art Vs. Science - Flippers
17. Little Red - Coca Cola
18. Bliss N Eso - Eye Of The Storm
19. Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook
20. Soko - I Will Never Love You More
21. Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes
22. Children Collide - Farewell Rocketship
23. Cog - Bird Of Feather

Disc 2
1. The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name
2. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig !!!
3. Birds Of Tokyo - Broken Bones
4. Architecture In Helsinki - That Beep
5. Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma
6. Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart
7. Pnau - Embrace
8. Does It Offend You, Yeah? - Dawn Of The Dead
9. The Getaway Plan - Where The City Meets The Sea
10. The Grates - Burn Bridges
11. Josh Pyke - The Lighthouse Song
12. Pez, 360, Hailey Cramer - The Festival Song
13. Tame Impala - Half Full Glass Of Wine
14. British India - I Said I'm Sorry
15. Lily Allen - The Fear
16. Pendulum - Propane Nightmares
17. Ash Grunwald - Breakout
18. The Herd - The King Is Dead
19. Laura Marling - Ghosts
20. The Butterfly Effect - Window And The Watcher
21. Something With Numbers - Stay With Me Bright Eyes

Saturday 24 January 2009

Highlights from Past Big Day Outs

With only 2 days before the Melbourne Big Day Out comes to town, here are some of my highlights from the 8 previous Big Day Outs I have been to.

1996 - Melbourne

This was my first Big Day Out and was there to see Rage Against the Machine. The day was a scorcher and I made the rookie error of shaving my head the day before and not wearing a hat. The result was the worst sunburn I have ever had, mainly on top of my head. During the day I caught excellent sets from Regurgitator, Spiderbait, Tumbleweed and Elastica. RATM hit the stage at 5pm with the killer riff of "Know Your Enemy". I got caught up in a mad rush for the stage and had to head forward with the crowd to avoid being crushed. It was the most insane pit I have ever been in and by the end of the song I had rolled my ankle and decided to make my way back to a less hectic area so I could enjoy the set. They were faultless in their performance with Zack owning the mic and Tom Morello getting sounds out of a guitar that seemed impossible. They played tracks from their self titled debut album like "Bullet in the Head", "Wake Up" and "Bombtrack" as Evil Empire was not yet released. I do recall them playing "Vietnow" from it's distinctive guitar intro and "Bulls on Parade". They finished the set with "Killing in the Name" and "Freedom" and left nowhere for the day to go but down. Another great set was by Radio Birdman, having left Porno for Pyros after they played "Pets". I didn't have any of their albums at that stage but was urged to go by my cousin. After witnessing an average set by Rancid earlier it was great to see some good punk played like it should be, fast and loud. All in all, it was an excellent Big Day Out.

2000 - Melbourne

I missed the next few Big Day Out's after buying tickets Soundgarden's solo show in 97, 98 being cancelled and 99 featuring a nu-metal line-up that I could not get excited about. With Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails headlining, it was my favourite Melbourne Big Day Out to date. As we walked in we heard the lovely sounds of Beth Orton playing on one of the smaller stages and became an instant fan. During the day, I also enjoyed sets by Spiderbait, Magic Dirt and Something for Kate but walked off during Blink 182 who sounded awful. The last three bands on the main stage were all amazing. The Foo Fighters opened with their best song from their new album "Stacked Actors" and followed it with a string of classics including "Breakout", "I'll Stick Around", "My Hero" and highlight "Everlong".
We headed down to the front to get a good position for RHCP while we watched NIN who were amazing, especially on "Head Like a Hole", "Starfuckers, Inc" and an epic version of "Closer".
RHCP played a set featuring tracks from Blood Sugar Sex Magik and Californication , sadly ignoring One Hot Minute altogether but it was still one my fave Big Day Out sets ever. Starting the set with Californication opener "Around the World" they played a great set featuring a selection of their many hits with "If You Have to Ask" and "I Could Have Lied" being unexpected and excellent inclusions. The encore of "Soul to Squeeze" and "Power of Equality" was the perfect conclusion to a great festival.

2001 - Melbourne

After the tragic death of a teenager at Sydney's Big Day Out, Limp Bizkit packed up their big dacks and terrible Nu-Metal songs and went home. I was fairly indifferent about them as a headliner anyway and was more interested in seeing Queens Of The Stone Age, You Am I, Coldplay, Augie March, Placebo, The Avalanches and At the Drive-In (which I sadly missed). The day ended with an excellent sing-along set from Powderfinger who had just taken out JJJ Hottest 100 top spot for the second year in a row and German metal band Rammstein who hit the stage engulfed in flames. The higlight of the set was the amazing visuals of pyrotechnics and crazy costumes but also sounded pretty good for metal, which I don't usually listen to. Another great day of live music, the highlights of the day being Placebo's "Every You, Every Me", The Avalanches' "Frontier Psychiatrist" and Queens of the Stone Age's "Lost Art of Keeping a Secret".

2002 - Gold Coast

The Gold Coast BDO venue is my favourite festival location as the weather is always fine, it has an awesome stage layout and there is no designated drinking area, which gives you more time to get around to more bands and still have a few beers. The lineup was not the best as far as international acts but the aussie contingent more than made up for it. I had convinced a couple of friends from work to come along to their first music festival, at this time they only listened to gangster rap. BDO 2002 cured them of that for good and to this day they now attend more festivals than me, I had created a monster. The standouts of the day were all Oz artists from the up and coming John Butler Trio, Eskimo Joe and Machine Gun Fellatio to festival legends like Regurgitator, Magic Dirt, Spiderbait and Something for Kate. The JBT set was probably the best of the day, playing songs from his best album Three and featuring the best bongo solo I'd ever seen. We also get to witness a pretty raw set by The White Stripes that I enjoyed but I was alone in that verdict so we only watched about 20 mins, I was happy getting to see "Hotel Yorba", "Fell in LOve with a Girl" and "Jolene". I also got to see some of Garbage, silvercahir and New Order who were all good, got to see "Blue Monday" which was awesome. To finish the day we had the Prodigy on the main stage. They were great and finished the day on an upbeat note. "Breathe" and "Voodoo People" sounded amazing. I got to see more bands in this year than any other, 13 in all, and was my favourite BDO to date.

2003 - Gold Coast

This year was a bit of a blur, I had a bit "too much fun" before I even got there. I invited a couple friends around to have a big bacon and egg cook up so we'd have some
fuel for the day. By the time my wife had cooked up these delicious bacon and egg rolls however we had already consumed about 6 bourbon cans each. Then we went to the Parkwood Tavern to watch a boxing matach and some beers so by the time we got to the Big Day Out at about 2 (missing The Waifs) we were very loose. Watched a bit of Millencollin and then Deftones who were both good and then after 10 minutes of The Vines it was time for one of the highlights of the day, Machine Gun Fellatio. I had seen Machine Gun Fellatio at 4 fetsivals in 2002 and was a big fan by this stage, especially of their live shows. They played a great mix of tracks including "Rollercoaster", "The Girl of my Dreams", a great singlong with "Pussytown" and my fave "Unsent Letter". They also put on a great visual show which at times looks like a circus act is performing. I missed Wilco to see The Living End which I still regret having seen The Living End so many times and not catching Wilco yet. They were ok but next up were Queens of the Stone Age who were excellent and played a set full of their latest album Songs for the Deaf. Bassist Nick Oleveri decided to nude up for the occasion which is one way to keep cool on stage I guess and second vocalist Mark Lanegan's voice was giving me chills. They were my favourite act of the day with recent JJJ Hottest 100 winner "No One Knows" sending the crowd into a frenzy. I then caught a good set by You Am I over at the Green Stage before heading back to the main stages for the 2 headliners, Janes Addiction and Foo Fighters. By this stage, I was pissed as and didn't manage to go in close. Janes Addiction sounded great and was happy to hear anthems "Mountain Song", "Stop! and "Been Caught Stealing". Foo Fighters also played a good set of hits but I was happy to see them end so I could go home to bed.

2005 - Gold Coast

Friday 23 January 2009

Bon Iver - "Skinny Love" Live on Letterman

This was one of my favourite songs of 2008 and this live version which I saw on Letterman late one night is the shit. There are three drummers playing in perfect rhythm and adding harmonies to the lead singers awesome falsetto vocals.

Wednesday 21 January 2009

Michael Franti - Obama Song

Here's a pretty cool track by Michael Franti & Spearhead called "Obama Song" . With Barack Obama officially becoming the leader of the free world today, it's a good time to check out this funky little track.

Tuesday 20 January 2009

Debut Album by Kram from Spiderbait


Lead singer and drummer from Spiderbait, Kram, is about to release his debut album Mixtape and from the tracks I've heard on his My Space it should be a ripper. You can preview 4 of the tracks from the aptly titled Mixtape which according to a quote from Kram will sound "like a radio station where all the songs sound like different bands even though it's all played by one person.... The premise of the whole album was to be constantly changing your approach musically". Sounds like my kind of album. You can also get a free download of "Outer Space" from My Space (click here http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=393564850)

The film clip for first single "Silk Suits" is an instant classic. The action takes place at Rod Laver Arena as Kram (sporting jeans, Motorhead T-Shirt and matching yellow head and wrist bands) and Alicia Molik battle it out with Nic Cester from Jet as umpire. The song is already been played heavily on Triple J, featuring Kram's trademark thumping drums and killer vocals. The new album is released in Australia on March 14th. Check out the excellent clip for "Silk Suits" below as well as a great live track from the Meredith Music Festival and a snippet of album track "Soccer".








Friday 16 January 2009

The Black Keys / Gomez / Dr Dog - The Palais, St Kilda - 11 Jan 2009


This gig had the perfect lineup and with a start time of 7pm, was impossible to resist. The afternoon was spent drinking beers at the espy and getting sunburnt with a few friends who were also going to the gig. Dr. Dog are a band I only recently starting listening to but they have become a favourite of mine. Their 2008 album Fate was one of the best of the year, and was featured heavily in the 45 minute set. The opening piano riff of "The Old Days" started the show off nicely as they played through a tight set of retro rock tunes. The vocals were shared by three of the five members and would not sound out of the place in the 60's. Highlights of the excellent set were "Hang On", "Uncovering the Old", "Army of Ancients" and closing track "The Rabbit, The Bat and the Reindeer".



Dr Dog were going to be hard to beat, but Gomez were well equipped to do so. They opened the set with "Shot Shot" and played all hits for over an hour, including one new track. As they were playing "Bring it On" in full at the Espy on Tuesday night, they left that album off the setlist. I was glad because I was going to the Tuesday show and it gave them time to play classics from Liquid Skin like "Rhythm & Blues Alibi", "Blue Moon Rising" and "We Haven't Turned Around". They closed with two tracks from How We Operate, "Girlshapedlovedrug" and an extended jam version of "How We Operate" which sounded amazing. I have now seen Gomez five times and they have always managed to bring something new to their live performance. Even seeing them twice in 48 hours during the week, they were both completely different and excellent in their own way. They have now become my favourite band. Setlist below


The Black Keys command the stage better than most 5 piece bands as they stroll on stage to their positions in front of impressive stage props. There is a giant inflatable dream catcher that is lowered behind Patrick Carney's raised drum kit and an inflatable indian figure behind singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach. After a quick greeting they go straight into their energetic and loud blend of rock and blues, playing tracks from Thickfreakness and Rubber Factory. It was 45 minutes into the set before the new album Attack and Release was featured with an excellent version of "Strange Times". Highlights of the main set were "Set Me Free", "The Breaks", "Your Touch", "Same Old Thing", "Hard Row" and "I Got Mine". They came back for a 2 song encore after a short break and was the highlight of the set. They started with a chilling version of "Psychotic Girl" and finshed with my favourite Black Keys track "Till I Get My Way". It was a night I will not soon forget, the highlight being getting to meet Gomez singer Ben Ottewell before they got on stage while he was outside having a ciggie. He talked a bit about the new album, A New Tide coming out at the end of March and that they will probably back in Oz before the year is out. I'll be there fellas.

Gomez Setlist:
Shot Shot / See the World / Silence / Homoa Beach / Rhythm and Blues Alibi / Ping One Down / Blue Moon Rising / Airstream Driver/ We Haven't Turned Around / Girlshapedlovedrug / How We Operate.



Wednesday 14 January 2009

2008 in Review - Best Lists

Just to finish up my list of favourites for 2008, here are some more.

Top 20 Songs

1. "Something Is Not Right With Me" - Cold War Kids
2. "Grounds for Divorce" - Elbow
3. "Diamond Hoo-Ha Man" - Supergrass
4. "Beau Geste" - You Am I
5. "The Golden Age" - TV on the Radio
6. "I Will Possess Your Heart" - Death Cab for Cutie
7. "Same Old Thing" - The Black Keys
8. "Oh My" - The Drones
9. "Skinny Love" - Bon Iver
10."Fighter Girl" - Mason Jennings
11."Dig, Lazurus, Dig!!!" - Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
12."Make You Crazy" - Brett Dennen (feat Feli Kuti)
13."On My Shoulders - The Do
14."Kids - MGMT
15."Gamma Ray" - Beck
16."White Winter Hymnal" - Fleet Foxes
17."Awkward Orchid Orchard" - The Boat People
18."The Old Days" - Dr. Dog
19."The Bottle" - Mat McHugh
20."Carolina Drama" - The Saboteurs


Best Autralian Gig
1. You Am I - Ferntree Gully Hotel
2. Josh Pyke - Gold Coast BDO
3. Ash Grunwald - Ruby's Lounge
4. Hoodoo Gurus - St Kilda Festival
5. Tim Scanlan - Wesley Anne
6. silverchair - Gold Coast BDO
7. Christopher Ernst - The Evelyn
8. Mick Hart - Ruby's Lounge
9. Will Connor - Myer Music Bowl
10.Roger That - The Evelyn

Artist of the Year
1. You Am I
2. Rage Against the Machine
3. Brett Dennen

Best Radio Show
1. The Breakfasters - RRR
2. 2008 - Triple J
3. All Over the Shop - RRR
4. Roy & H.G. - Triple J
5. Roots and All - Triple J

Best Podcast
1. Get This
2. The Ricky Gervais Podcast
3. Smodcast

Best Movie
1. The Dark Knight
2. Kung-Fu Panda
3. Tropic Thunder
4. Iron Man
5. Pineapple Express
6. Gone Baby Gone
7. Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
8. Wall E
9. Burn After Reading
10.Juno

Best TV Show
1. Entourage
2. Dexter
3. The Simpsons
4. Curb Your Enthusiasm
5. Weeds
6. Spicks and Specks
7. Scrubs
8. rage
9. The Hollowmen
10.South Park

Best Publications
1. Rolling Stone
2. Empire
3. In Press
4. Hit (Herald Sun)
5. J Mag

Best Books (Read in 2008)
1. Watchmen - Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
2. Things the Grandchildren Should Know- Mark Oliver Everett
3. Shakey - Jimmy McDonough
4. Highway to Hell - Clinton Walker
5. The Dave Grohl Story - Jeff Apter
6. Lolly Scramble - Tony Martin
7. The Rainmaker - John Grisham
8. In Cold Blood - Truman Capote
9. Room Full of Mirrors - Charles R. Cross
10.Misery - Stephen King

Best Internet Sites
1. Facebook
2. Undercover Music News
3. Faster Louder
4. You Tube
5. Metacritic




Saturday 10 January 2009

Top 50 Albums 2008

1. You Am I – Dilettantes *****


This was an excellent album from start to finish from the best rock band Australia has to offer. They released two of the best albums of the 90s with Hi Fi Way and Hourly, Daily and Dilettantes is a return to form. From the opening acoustic title track to the epic closing track “The Piano Up the Tree” there is not a moment of filler. I was surpised this album was not on any reviewers Top 10 lists although it did receive good reviews when it was released. The highlights of the album would be current single “Beau Geste” (great film clip as well), “Wankers”, "Givin' Up and Gettin' Fat", “Frightfully Moderne” and “Daveys Gone Green Again” that contains an excellent riff during the chorus.

2. TV on the Radio – Dear Science *****

This was an album that got better with every listen. First single “The Golden Age” got me hooked with it’s funky opening riff and beautifully catchy chorus. It also has a fantastic weird film clip. “Red Dress” is another classic featuring some excellent horns and great lyrics delivered with style. The highlight of the album is “ Dancing Choose” with frantic rhymes over tight drums and horns. Although I thought “Return to Cookie Mountain” was a great album, “Dear Science” has proven that TV on the Radio are a great band. Other highlights are "DLZ", "Halfway Home" and "Family Tree". I am greatly anticaipating their set at the Big Day Out in a few weeks to see if they have the skills live.



3. My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges *****


This album was a pleasant surprise for me, switching styles with ease on all 13 tracks. The quieter moments on the album, “Librarian”, “Thank You Too”, “Look at You” and “Sec Walkin’” is what makes the album a classic for me. But MMJ also delivered some excellent rock tracks with “Aluminum Park”, “Remnants” and “I’m Amazed”. “Highly Suspicious” is my favourite track on the album with it’s excellent riff and falsetto vocals. Another band I am looking forward to seeing at the Big Day Out this year.



4. The Black Keys – Attack and Release *****

The Black Keys have created their best album to date. Producer Danger Mouse has added more melody and extra instrumentation for the talented duos fifth studio album. Opening track “All you ever Wanted” promises a different sound than on previous albums and continues to deliver on all eleven tracks. “ I Got Mine”, “Strange Times” and “Same Old Thing” are the standout tracks for me but it’s all good. Looking forward to seeing it live at the Palais supported by Gomez and Dr Dog. Should be an excellent start to the year.

5. Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs *****

Narrow Stairs is the album that made me take notice of Death Cab for Cutie. I saw them support Something for Kate in 2003 and thought they were pretty good but their previous albums had some weak album tracks. This album, like all in my Top 10, can be played from start to finish without wanting to skip tracks. The 8 and a half minute first single “I Will Possess Your Heart” slowly builds with the best bass riff of the year, which then gradually adds drums then piano to form a perfect four and a half minute instrumental intro. Other standout tracks include “No Sunlight”, “Pity and Fear” and “Long Division” but every track is great and I have had it on high rotation since it’s release over 6 months ago.

6. The Drones – Havilah ****1/2

This was an excellent and consistent album by the Melbourne four-piece. With dirty blues riffs and raw vocals, The Drones’ 5th studio album contains 10 excellent tracks. From the heavier, bluesy tracks like “The Minotaur”, “Nail it Down” and “ I Am the Supercargo” to the quieter “Careful as you Go”, “Your Acting’s Like the End of the World” and “The Drifting Housewife”, this album is always compelling. Singer/Songwriter Gareth Liddiard is at his best lyrically on the apocalyptic “Oh My” which features great lines like “Humans are a waste of food” and “You want to shrink your stinky footprint? Get your tubes tied”. Can’t wait for their set at the Big Day Out.

7. Mason Jennings – In the Ever **** 1/2

Mason Jennings is the most under rated singer-songwriter of our time in my opinion. He has a unique voice and is my favourite songwriter. On his 7th studio album he has again made an album full of catchy tunes and beautiful lyrics. First single “Fighter Girl” was one of the best of the year but I never heard it once on the radio. Likewise with the beautiful acoustic second single “How Deep is that River”. Jack Johnson features on “I Love You and Buddha Too”, which he played at his Melbourne show last year. “In the Ever” is also Mason’s first release on Jack Johnsons label, Brushfire Records. “Your New Man” is a humerous track about a break-up made worse by his ex moving onto a new man. It is recorded live to great effect and my favourite of the 11 great tracks on this album.

8. Dr. Dog - Fate ****1/2

Key Tracks:
The Old Days, Hang On, The Ark, The Rabbit, The Bat and the Reindeer, The Breeze, Army of Ancients, The Beach


9. Mat. McHugh - Separatista! ****1/2

Being a massive fan of The Beautiful Girls, I am probably a bit biased about Mat McHugh first official solo album. But for fans of TBG, especially their earlier material, you will probably love it as much as I did. This album has some great acoustic tracks with brilliant guitar riffs and beautiful harmonies like on "It Isn't Me", "Numb" and "Darling, This Scene Must End". He keeps the album interesting by adding some horns, melodica and piano on "The Bottle", "Loneliness" and "Ring the Alarm" which adds some reggae funk to the album. Can't wait to see the album live when he plays at Ruby's Lounge on Febuary 13.

10. The Zutons - You Can Do Anything ****1/2

It took a lot of listens for this album to grow on me, but once it did, I couldn't stop listening to it. It is full of catchy choruses and great lyrics over many genres. I could list the whole album if I was to pick my favourite tracks, there is no filler and often feels like you are listening to a mix tape. Hopefully they will come to Australia this year, maybe for the V Festival, and I will get to see them live. Highly Recommended.


11. Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid ****1/2
Key Tracks:
Grounds for Divorce, The Fix, An Audience With the Pope, On a Day Like This, Weather to Fly

12. Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst ****
Key Tracks:
Souled Out, I Don't Wanna Die in a Hospital, Sausilito, Cape Canaveral, Get Well Cards

13. Josh Pyke - Chimney's Afire ****
Key Tracks:
Make You Happy, Our House Breathing, The Lighthouse Song, The Summer,

14. The Saboteurs - Consolers of the Lonely ****
Key Tracks:
Carolina Drama, Salute Your Solution, Top Yourself, Old Enough

15. Supergrass - Diamond Hoo-Ha ****
Key Tracks:
Diamond Hoo-Ha Man, Bad Blood, Rebel in You, Whiskey & Green Tea, When I Needed You

16. Donavon Frankenreiter - Pass it Around ****
Key Tracks:
Life, Love & Laughter, Pass it Around, Mansions on the Sand, Your Heart

17. The Boat People - Chandeliers ****
Key Tracks:
Awkward Orchid Orchard, Panic, Born in the 80's, Hours N Hours, Babysnake

18. Augie March - Watch Me Disappear ****
Key Tracks:
Pennywhistle, Becoming Bryn, Farmer's Son, Watch Me Disappear

19. Emiliana Torrinni - Me and Armani ****
Key Tracks:
Jungle Drum, Big Jumps, Heard it all Before, Me and Armani, Fireheads

20. Beck - Modern Guilt ****
Key Tracks:
Gamma Ray, Walls, Youthless, Orphans, Modern Guilt

21. Band of Horses - Cease to Begin ****
Key Tracks:
Ode to LRC, The General Specific, No One's Gonna Love You, Is There A Ghost

22 Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty ****
Key Tracks:
Something Is Not Right With Me, Relief, Mexican Dogs, Dreams Old Men Dream

23. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes ****
Key Tracks:
White Water Hymnal, Quiet Houses, He Doesn't Quite Know Why, Blue Ridge Mountains

24. Black Kids - Partie Tramautic ****

Look at Me, Hurricane Jane, Listen to your Body Tonight, Partie Traumatic, Hit the Heartbrakes

25. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazurus, Dig!!! ****Key Tracks:
Dig, Lazurus, Dig!!!, More News From Nowhere, We Call Upon the Author, Moonland

26. Matt Costa - Unfamiliar Faces ****
Key Tracks:
Cigarette Eyes, Trying to Lose my Mind, Mr. Pitiful, Emergency Call, Bound

27. Ash Grunwald - Fish Out of Water ****
Key Tracks:
Mojo, Fish Out of Water, The Devil Called Me a Liar, Breakout, Port Campbell

28. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago ****
Key Tracks:
Skinny Love, Flume, For Emma, re: Stacks

29. Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Primary Colours ****
Key Tracks:
Which Way To Go, I Admit my Faults, We'll Be Turned On, Wrapped Up


30. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular ****
Key Tracks:
Kids, Time to Pretend, Weekend Wars, Electric Feel

31. Kings of Leon - Only by the Night ***1/2

32. Okkervil River - The Stand-Ins ****
Key Tracks:
Pop Lie, Starry Stairs, Lost Coastlines, Singer Songwriter

33. The Weepies - Hideaway ****
Key Tracks:
Wish I Could Forget, Takes So Long, Not Dead Yet, All Good Things

34. The Dandy Warhols - Earth to the Dandy Warhols ***1/2
Welcome to the Third World, Now You Love Me, The Legend of the Outlaw Truckers, Mission Control

35. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, Oxford Comma, A-Punk, Mansard Roof

36. Primal Scream - Beautiful Future ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Can't Go Back, Zombie Man, The Glory of Love, Necro Hex Blues.

37. The Hampdens - The Last Party ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Generation Y, Forget to Begin, Asleep on the Lawn, Hands in the Ground

38. Brett Dennen - Hope for the Hopeless ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Make You Crazy, Ain't Gonna Lose You, San Francisco, Wrong About Me

39. Girl Talk - Feed the Animals ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Like This, Hands in the Air, In Step, Set it off

40. Xavier Rudd - Dark Shades of Blue ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Edge of the Moon, Dark Shades of Blue, Up in Flames, The World as we Know It

41. The Felice Brothers - The Felice Brothers ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Frankie's Gun, Whiskey in my Whiskey, Ruby Mae, Wonderful Life

42. Portishead - Third***1/2
Key Tracks:
Machine Gun, The Rip, Magic Doors, Hunter

43. Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Meg White, Gossip in the Grain, You Are the Best Thing, Hey Me, Hey Mama

44. Santogold - Santogold ****
Key Tracks:
L.E.S. Artistes, You'll Find a Way, Say Aha, Light Out

45. Jack Johnson - Sleep Through the Static ***1/2
Key Tracks:
If I Had Eyes, Hope, Sleep Through the Static, Home, Go On

46. Jeff Lang - Half Seas Over ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Newman Town, Night Draws In, Five Letters, My Mother Always Talked To Me

47. Laura Marling - Alas, I Cannot Swim ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Ghosts, You're No God, Night Terror, My Manic and I,

48. Lior - Corner of an Endless Road ***1/2
Key Tracks:
I'll Forget You, Heal Me, Lost In You, Sonja

49. Metallica - Death Magnetic ***1/2

Key Tracks:
The Day That Never Comes, That Was Just Your Life, My Apocalypse, All Nightmare Long

50. Coldplay - Viva la Vida ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Lost, Viva La Vida, 42, Violet Hill

Monday 5 January 2009

2008 in Review - Concerts

As it is the beginning of a new year, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the music I listened to and watched live in 2008. These were my 10 favourite international gigs I saw this year, most were at festivals.

Top 10 Overseas Live Acts 2008

1. Rage Against the Machine - Gold Coast Big Day Out - Jan 20 2008

I scored a ticket from a friend for the sold out Big Day Out 3 days before the gig, having tried and failed to get tickets the morning they went on sale. Rage Against the Machine are one of my fave bands and my love for them only grew after seeing them live again. I also saw them at the Melbourne Big Day Out in 1996, my first BDO. It was the best live performance at a festival I have ever seen, and i have been to a lot of festivals in the last 12 years. Opening with "Testify", the played perfect versions of their back catalogue for an hour and fifteen minutes before closing with 90s Anthem "Killing in the Name" which was the highlight of the day. Other highlights were "Guerilla Radio", "Bullet in the Head" and "Bulls on Parade".

2. The Dandy Warhols - The Palace, Melbourne - November 7 2008

The 2nd Melbourne show was a friday night and the main reason i got a ticket, as I don't often go to gigs on weekdays. The Dandys played a set of classics and they sounded a lot better than expected considering the venue. 8 tracks were played from "13 Tales from Urban Bohemia" which is one of favourite albums of all time. "Bohemian Like You", "All the Money", "Get Off" and "We Used to be Fiends" were all played early in the set and by then they could do no wrong. I was there with my wife and 4 friends and we all agreed that it a brilliant show, it felt like a party. The band obviously partied too hard the night before as only Zia McCabe came out for one acepella track for the encore. By that stage, we didn't care because they had played all their hits in a 2 hour plus set anyway. "Godless", "The Legend of The Last of the Outlaw Truckers " and "Horse Pills" were also highlights.

3. Queens of the Stoneage - V Festival, Melbourne - April 5 2008

Queens of the Stoneage played a perfect festival setlist at the V festival this year. They played all their hits without wasting any time with talking or playing new tracks that nobody knew. I had consumed a few beers by the time they hit the stage, but that only added to my enjoyment. Setlist contained "Go with the Flow", "Lost Art of Keeping a Secret", "Make it Wit Chu" and "Medication" but there was no filler. The show climaxed with "No One Knows". The best set at V festival this year.

4. The Arcade Fire - Big Day Out, Gold Coast - Jan 20 2008

The Arcade Fire were on stage at about 6pm which was too early, they should have played before RATM instead of Bjork who was terrible. The opened the set with "Wake Up" and the whole ten piece band sounded fantastic. They had a huge church organ on stage and the sound that came out of it was amazing. "Intervention", "Keep the Car Running" and "Rebillion (Lies)" were highlights but the whole set (see below) was great.
Wake Up, Keep The Car Running, (Antichrist Television Blues), Neighbourhood #2 (Laika), No Cars Go, Haiti, Black Wave/Bad Vibrations, Intervention, Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels), Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out), Rebellion (Lies)

5. Jack Johnson, Matt Costa and G Love - Myer Music Bowl - 25 Mar 2008

Although I was unimpressed with Jack Johnson latest album "Sleep Through the Static", his live show is still a great night out. My Wife and I went with a group of frinds and we had an excellent night of singalongs and suprise guests. The first half of the set included "Flake", "Taylor", "Bubble Toes", " Good People" and a couple of new songs. He then invited Matt Costa on stage to play "Let it be Sung", "Fall Line" and Matt Costa's "Sunshine" which I thought would be the highlight of the show. He included The Cars "Just What I Needed" in an excellent version of "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing"and a few others before it was time for next special guest G Love and the true highjlight of the evening. They played "Rodeo Clowns", a cover of Taj Mahal's "Further on Down the Road" and "Mudfootball" with G Love's harmoica stealing the show. The first encore had Jack on stage by himself for a couple of acoustic songs and then G Love came back out for the second encore with "Rainbow" and finishing with an amazing version of "Better Together" with G Love softly playing his harmonica over Jacks acoustic guitar and voice. Matt Costa's set before Jack was also very good.

6. Smashing Pumpkins - V Festival, Melbourne - April 5 2008

Smashing Pumpkins were a favourite of mine in my teenage years and I was very keen to catch them live having missed their last Australian tour in 1995. Even though only 2 members remain from the original lineup, they still sounded awesome. As the opening riff of "Today" rung through the showgrounds, I knew I was in for a treat. They played all my favouites, (see setlist below) with the highlights being an acoustic version of "1979" and the highlight of the day "Bullet with Butterfly Wings". They even managed to play some of AC/DC's classic "Let There be Rock". Being the final band of the day, the encore of "Zero" and "Cherub Rock" was the perfect end to the best festival I've been to in a long time.

Today, Tarantula, Stand Inside Your Love, Hummer, Tonight, Tonight, Superchrist, Cash Car Star, 1979 (acoustic), That's The Way My Love Is, Bullet With Butterfly Wings, Set The Controls For The Heart of the Sun (Pink Floyd cover), United States Encore: Zero, Cherub Rock

7. Brett Dennen - Northcote Social Club - Sept 17th 2008

Brett Dennen is virtually unknown in Australia, so I was pleasantly suprised to hear he was making a trip down to Australia. Me and a friend deceided to check out this Wednesday night gig based on our love for the song "The Holidays are Here (and we're Still at War). Unfortunately he didn't play this song but that didn't spoil the show for us at all. For an hour and a half he sung sweet tunes aided by brilliantly finger picked acoustic guitar with no backing band. New album "Hope for the Hopleless" was heavily played throughout the set, which was at the time unreleased, and it is a step forward from previous albums "Brett Dennen" and "So Much More". The highlights of the show were new tracks "Ain't Gonna Lose You", current single "Make you Crazy" and "Ain't No Reason". It was definitely worth the trip out on a Wednesday night.

8. Spoon - Big Day Out, Gold Coast - Jan 20 2008

Spoon's album of 2007, "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" was one of my favourites of the year so I was excited to hear their 2nd round announcement for the big day out. They played in the big top mid afternoon, and set my mood for the day. The final 3 tracks of the set (see below) were the highlights of an excellent show

The Beast and Dragon - Adored, Don't You Evah, You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb, Stay Don't Go, The Underdog, The Delicate Place, The Fitted Shirt, The Ghost of You Lingers, Finer Feelings, Don't Make Me A Target, I Turn My Camera On, I Summon You

9. Modest Mouse - V Festival, Melbourne - April 5 2008

Another excellent set from the V Festival last year, the whole setup of the festival was the best I'd ever been to. I would go again this year just for the way it is run, even though the lineup has not excited me apart from Elbow. Modest Mouse took to the stage with roars of excitement and anticipation. Singer Isaac Brock and ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr controlled the show playing a set full of jams, singalongs and anthems. "Float On" and "Dashboard" were crowd favourites but it was the epic "Spitting Venom" that turned the show from good to great. Excellent set, look forward to seeing them play a headline show on their next tour.

10. The Nightwatchman - Big Day Out, Gold Coast - Jan 20 2008

Being a massive RATM fan and wannabe guitar player, Tom Morello is like a god to me. For that reason, I had to check out Morello's side project and I am glad I did. Playing tracks from debut album, his Dylanesque vocal style and folk classical guitar had the crowd mesmerised. He even got the crowd singing on "Flesh Shapes the Day" and closing track "The Road I Must Travel". It was an excellent warm up for RATM's closing set and proof that Tom Morello rocks, even with a classical guitar.


So thats my 10 favourite overseas gigs for the 2008, 2009 is shaping up to be another excellent year with the Big Day Out not far away. Sunday night I will be seeing The Black Keys, Gomez and Dr. Dog at the Palais. On Tuesday at the Espy, Gomez are playing a 10 year anniversary show for debut album "Bring it On", playing every track in order followed by classics. Should be a good week, stay tuned for the reviews.