Paul Dempsey - Everything is True - Album Review

*****
On his debut solo album, Paul Dempsey has kept everything that is great about Something for Kate and made a fresh and unique sound that I can't get enough of. I've been listening to this album on repeat for over 2 weeks now and have not come close to tiring of it yet. Even the latest single "Romona Was a Waitress" which is getting fairly heavy airplay still sounds fresh. The songwriting on Everything is True is Dempsey's strongest effort since SFK's Elsewhere for 8 Minutes and the simple yet catchy acoustic guitar is the perfect accompaniment to his clever and insightful lyrics. All the instruments on the album are played by Dempsey and he also wrote and co-produced the debut with Wayne Connolly, who has previously worked with The Fauves and Josh Pyke, proving that he is truly one of Australia's most talented artists. It's hard to pick highlights on such a strong album but I am really loving "Fast Friends", "Bird in a Basement" and current single "Romona Was a Waitress". The bonus disc features four covers played acoustically and is a nice addition, if only for the great MGMT cover of "Time to Pretend. You can find his cover version of classic 90's Teenage Fanclub track "Sparky's Dream" on iTunes as well which is probably my favourite of the cover versions. This fantasic debut is the current leader for Album of the Year at this stage and I am looking forward to seeing a full live show at the Palais in Hepburn Springs on the 11th Sept, having seen a sneak preview at RRR's Performance Space in July before hearing the album. I strongly receommend this album, even if for some stupid reason Something for Kate is not your cup of tea. 5 out of 5.

Everything is True
1. Bats
2. Fast Friends
3. Out The Airlock
4. Ramona Was A Waitress
5. Take Us To Your Leader
6. Bird In A Basement
7. Theme From Nice Guy
8. Have You Fallen Out Of Love?
9. The Great Optimist
10. Safety In Numbness
11. Man Of The Moment

Counterfeits and Forgeries
1. Time to Pretend (MGMT)
2. Heaven (Talking Heads)
3. So Like Candy (Elvis Costello)
4. Disappearer (Sonic Youth)
5. Sparky's Dream (Teenage Fanclub) iTunes Bonus Track

Here are the latest tour dates for Paul Dempsey

Thurs 10 September – Ruby’s Lounge
Fri 11 September – The Palais, Hepburn Springs
Sat 12 September – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Wed 16 September – Lizottes, Kincumber
Thurs 17 September – Wollongong University, Wollongong
Fri 18 September – Brewery, Newcastle
Sat 19 September – Manning Bar, Sydney
Fri 25 September – The Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
Sat 26 September – The Zoo, Brisbane
Thurs 1 October – The Gov, Adelaide
Fri 2 October – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
Sat 3 October – Fly By Night Club, Fremantle
Fri 9 October – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Sat 10 October – Westernport Hotel, San Remo

Ben Harper and Relentless7 - White Lies for Dark Times - Album Review

1. Number With No Name
2. Up To You Now
3. Shimmer And Shine
4. Lay There And Hate Me
5. Why Must You Always Dress In Black
6. Skin Thin
7. Fly One Time
8. Keep It Together (So I Can Fall Apart)
9. Boots Like These
10. The Word Suicide
11. Faithfully Remain
Rating: ****1/2

Ben Harper's new band Relentless7 has given Harper a new spark and he is showing some of the passion of his earlier releases. The album begins with "Number With No Name" featuring some trademark Harper slide which is good to hear again, especially with distortion. White Lies for Dark Times is Harper's heaviest album to date with his lyrics illustrating some of the anger that the title hints at. "Shimmer and Shine" shows off the talents of his new band with drummer Jordan Richardson adding some excellent percussion fills. As good as his slide is to hear again, Harper's greatest instrument though is his voice which is in fine form as usual. "Keep it Together (So I Can Fall Apart)" has Harper wailing over his wah driven slide which is featured again on "Boots Like These". The slower numbers like "Up To You Now", "The Word Suicide", "Faithfully Remain" and "Skin Thin" work on the album to show off Harper's songwriting talents. " The bluesier rock numbers "Why Must You Always Dress in Black", "Boots Like These" and "Lay There and Hate Me" have Relentless7 in their comfort zone and are a perfect fit for Ben Harper's style. White Lies for Dark Times is a return to form by one of the best musicians of our time and hopefully it will not be the last we hear from Relentless7.

Doves - Kingdom of Rust - Album Review

1. "Jetstream" – 5:30
2. "Kingdom of Rust" – 5:11
3. "The Outsiders" – 3:28
4. "Winter Hill" – 5:18
5. "10:03" – 4:04
6. "The Greatest Denier" – 3:59
7. "Birds Flew Backwards" – 2:51
8. "Spellbound" – 5:39
9. "Compulsion" – 5:14
10."House of Mirrors" – 4:20
11."Lifelines" – 4:26

Rating: ****1/2
The 4th studio album from UK band Doves is my favourite album of the year so far. I hadn't listened to Doves since they released Some Cities in 2005 and had somehow forgotten how good they are. I have rediscovered their back catalogue in a big way after hearing Kingdom of Rust which was an easier first listen than their previous releases. They have a small following outside the UK, despite rave reviews around the world, like fellow underrated Manchester lads Elbow. They also released their 4th and most accomplished album last year, taking out the Mercury Prize for The Seldom Seen Kid. Kingdom of Rust is of the same quality and is my early tip for this years Mercury Prize. Doves were nominated for their first two albums Lost Souls and The Last Broadcast but missed out. Both bands have taken great steps on their 4th albums and with Gomez are the best bands out of the UK at the moment.
Opening track "Jetstream" is a perfect example of Doves epic sound and they do it naturally without overdoing it. First single "Kingdom of Rust" is an instant classic that starts with a Spaghetti Western feel and soars into an epic piano driven chorus. The highlight of the album appears on the 9th track "Compulsion" and it's all about the funky bass. The whole album is excellent and although it might not achieve commercial success, it will be a favourite among real music fans and critics alike.

Gomez - A New Tide - Album Review

Rating: ****
1. "Mix"
2. "Little Pieces"
3. "If I Ask You Nicely"
4. "Lost Track"
5. "Win Park Slope"
6. "Bone Tired"
7. "Airstream Driver"
8. "Natural Reaction"
9. "Very Strange"
10."Other Plans"
11."Sunset Gates"

I have waited a few weeks to let Gomez's 6th studio album sink in before making any judgment on it and after repeated listens, A New Tide has started to grow on me. It is not their best but they are a band that don't make the same album over and over and that's one of the reasons I love them. It is less radio friendly than their previous effort How We Operate, sounding more like their underrated 3rd album In Our Gun. Not to say that they are no catchy somgs on the album with tracks like "If I Ask You Nicely", "Natural Reaction" and excellent first single "Airstream Driver" all having an upbeat vibe. The acoustic guitar is heavily featured on this album and all 3 vocalists share the lead on singing duties, with some excellent backing vocals on every track. Their latest offering has received mixed reviews but I really enjoyed it as whole album, even though there were not as many stand-out tracks as usual. I may be biased though because they are probably my favourite band. The distinctive vocals of Ben Ottewell on "Little Pieces", "Lost Track", "Bone Tired" and "Sunset Gates" are reason enough for Gomez fans to be excited about another release. I am glad I persevered with this album becuase it is getting better with every listen and a worthy addition to their impressive catalogue. I will look forward to seeing them back in Australia to tour this album, hopefully this year sometime.

Lady of the Sunshine - Smoking Gun - Album Review

01. Silver Revolver
02. Home Sweet Home
03. White Rose parade
04. Jack Nimble
05. Big Jet Plane
06. Smoking Gun
07. Daisychain
08. The Wolf
09. Anna
10. Kings Black Magic
11. Dead Mans Train
12. Lady Sunshine
Rating: ****
Ever since hearing the first single"White Rose Parade" played on JJJ I have been anticipating the new album by Lady of the Sunshine, Angus Stone's side project . Smoking Gun is a more eclectic album than previous releases by Angus and Julia Stone with his sister. The album is great on it's louder moments when he swaps the acoustic guitar for an electric on "Smoking Gun" and lead single "White Rose Parade" . "Kings Black Magic" starts nice and gentle with an acoustic guitar strumming over soft vocals but then morphs into a thumping chorus which provides one of the albums highlights. "Big Jet Plane" is one catchier songs on the album featuring a chorus that has been stuck in my head many times, same goes with opening track "Silver Revolver". The slower acoustic numbers highlight Stone's songwriting talents, particularly on "The Wolf", "Daisychain" and "Anna". "Jack Nimble"and "Lady Sunshine" show off Stone's impressive vocal range and are standout tracks. Hopefully this will not be a one-off project for Stone but there have been no live dates announced as yet. A fantastic debut showing a new side to a very talented musician.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz - Album Review

****
1. "Zero" 4:25
2. "Heads Will Roll" 3:41
3. "Soft Shock" 3:53
4. "Skeletons" 5:02
5. "Dull Life" 4:08
6. "Shame and Fortune" 3:31
7. "Runaway" 5:13
8. "Dragon Queen" 4:02
9. "Hysteric" 3:50
10. "Little Shadow" 3:57

For their 3rd album, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have headed to the dancefloor replacing their loud guitars with synth to great effect. Kicking the album off with first single "Zero", Karen O squeals, croaks and moans beautifully through the songs sexually charged lyrics over dance beats and synth. It's one of their finest songs to date and one of the highlights of It's Blitz. "Off With Your Head" is their catchiest song to date and will stay in your head long after you've heard it. Hidden amongst all the beautiful choruses and dance beats are darker moments like the atmospheric "Skeletons" and the albums closer "Little Shadows". Other highlights on the album are "Shame and Fortune", ""Dragon Queen" and "Hysteric" with no real filler unlike the YYYs previous two albums. With word of an Australian tour for later this year (possibly for Splendour in the Grass), they are sure to be one of the biggest bands of 2009.
TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek and Nick Launay (Nick Cave, Supergrass) add to their already excellent track record with production on this album. Below is the great new clip "Zero" as well as a track from each of their previous albums, "Maps" from Fever to Tell and "Gold Lion" from Show Your Bones.

Kram - Mix Tape - Album Review

****1/2
1. Good Love
2. Ridin High
3. She's My Girl
4. Turn A Light On
5. Burnin Sands
6. Silk Suits
7. Live A Long Time
8. Won't Be Home Tonight
9. Harmonies
10. Satellite
11. The Best Thing
12. Thankyou Mr Ludwig
13. Get To It
14. Long Cold Night
15. Down The Line

The debut album from Spiderbait singer/drummer Kram lives up to it's title Mix Tape as it changes gears seamlessly across the 15 tracks as all good mix tapes should. What makes it even more impressive is that with the exception of a few cameos from Tumbleweed's Ritchie Lewis and Jet's Nic Cester, Kram has played all the instruments himself.
First track "Good Love" could appear easily on any of Spiderbait's albums and starts the album in high gear. The following track "Ridin' High" heads in the opposite direction with a wah-driven guitar riff, smooth bass and funky beat which was briefly visited on Spiderbait's previous album Tonight Alright's highlight "Picky". Kram channels Beck for another cruisy foot tapper "She's My Girl" and as "Turn a Light On" starts with an acoustic guitar strum and piano it is clear this album intends to take the listener on a musical journey. "Burnin' Sands" is another excellent track showing off Kram's vocal range with some great falsetto vocals. First single "Silk Suits" sounds like the Kram we have known and loved for all these years and is accompanied by a great clip featuring Kram and Alicia Molik head to head on the tennis court filmed at Rod Laver Arena.
The album continues to bring the hits in the second half and plays more like a best of than a debut album. Other highlights include "Satellite", "Long Cold Night", "Get To It" and the percussion instrumental "Thankyou Mr Ludwig". It is the perfect album for road trips, parties or just listening by yourself with headphones. It is my favourite album of the year and as there were 50 songs recorded for the album, another album could be on the cards in the future.

The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love - Album Review

The latest release by The Decemberists sounds more like a rock opera than an album and it is a pleasant change from albums that have 3 or 4 good songs and the rest filler. Each of the 17 songs have their place on the album, even the small instrumental tie-ins, and sound best when played in sequence as a full album. It is a good way to spend an hour though and Colin Meloy’s distinctive voice is always good to hear. Although they sound like the same band, some excellent riffs show up throughout the album which are unexpected at first but after repeated listens become the core of the album.

This press release sums up the story of what the album is about better than I can:

"The album began when Meloy – long fascinated by the British folk revival of the 1960s – found a copy of revered vocalist Anne Briggs’s 1966 EP, titled The Hazards of Love. Since there was no actual song with the album’s title, he set out to write one, but was soon immersed in something much larger.
"The Hazards Of Love tells the tale of a woman named Margaret who is ravaged by a shape-shifting animal; her lover, William; a forest queen; and a cold-blooded, lascivious rake, who recounts with spine-tingling ease how he came 'to be living so easy and free' in the aforementioned “The Rake’s Song”. Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark and My Brightest Diamond’s Shara Worden deliver the lead vocals for the female characters, while My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, Robyn Hitchcock and The Spinanes’ Rebecca Gates appear in supporting roles. The range of sounds reflects the characters’ arcs, from the accordion’s singsong lilt in “Isn’t it a Lovely Night?” to the heavy metal thunder of 'The Queen’s Rebuke/The Crossing”."

After only a few listens it has already become one of my favourites of the year so far and is getting better with every listen. Below is the tracklisting and an audio sample of "The Rake's Song" from the new album as well as a couple of great film clips from the previous albums.

1. "Prelude" - 3:04
2. "The Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won't Wrestle the Thistles Undone)" - 4:19
3. "A Bower Scene" - 2:09
4. "Won't Want for Love (Margaret in the Taiga)" - 4:07
5."The Hazards of Love 2 (Wager All)" - 4:26
6. "The Queen's Approach" - 0:29
7. "Isn't It a Lovely Night?" - 3:29
8. "The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid" - 6:27
9. "An Interlude" - 1:40
10. "The Rake's Song" - 3:16
11. "The Abduction of Margaret" - 2:07
12. "The Queen's Rebuke/The Crossing" - 3:56 .
13."Annan Water" - 5:12
14. "Margaret in Captivity" - 3:08
15. "The Hazards of Love 3 (Revenge!)" - 3:22
16. "The Wanting Comes in Waves (Reprise)" - 1:31
17. "The Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned)" - 5:57

Dark Was the Night - Various Artists - Album Review

Dark Was the Night is an excellent double cd featuring 31 exclusive tracks including a number of covers. The profits for this release go to benefit the Red Hot Organization – an international charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for HIV and AIDS through popular culture. This is is their 20th year of releasing compilations and this is the 20th release.

It features a who's who of alternative artists, the highlights being tracks by The Arcade Fire, Spoon, Bon Iver, My Morning Jacket, The Decemberists and Stuart Murdoch from Belle and Sebastian fame. My favourite track on the album is Conor Oberst and Gillian Welch's beautiful rendition of the Bright Eyes track "Lua". Below is the tracklist and a few choice selections provided by the website.

THIS DISC
1 Knotty Pine – Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
2 Cello Song (Nick Drake) – The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez
3 Train Song – Feist + Ben Gibbard
4 Brackett, WI – Bon Iver
5 Deep Blue Sea – Grizzly Bear
6 So Far Around the Bend – The National
7 Tightrope – Yeasayer
8 Feeling Good (Nina Simone) – My Brightest Diamond
9 Dark Was the Night (Blind Willie Johnson) – Kronos Quartet
10 I Was Young When I Left Home (Bob Dylan) – Antony + Bryce Dessner
11 Big Red Machine – Justin Vernon + Aaron Dessner
12 Sleepless – The Decemberists
13 Stolen Houses (Die) – Iron and Wine
14 Service Bell – Grizzly Bear + Feist
15 You Are The Blood – Sufjan Stevens

THAT DISC
1 Well-Alright – Spoon
2 Lenin – Arcade Fire
3 Mimizan – Beirut
4 El Caporal – My Morning Jacket
5 Inspiration Information (Shuggie Otis) – Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
6 With A Girl Like You (The Troggs) – Dave Sitek
7 Blood Pt 2 – Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)
8 Hey, Snow White (Destroyer) – The New Pornographers
9 Gentle Hour (Snapper) – Yo La Tengo
10 Another Saturday (traditional song) – Stuart Murdoch
11 Happiness – Riceboy Sleeps
12 Amazing Grace (traditional song) – Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues
13 The Giant Of Illinois (Handsome Family) – Andrew Bird
14 Lua – Conor Oberst + Gillian Welch
15 When the Road Runs Out – Blonde Redhead + Devastations
16 Love vs. Porn – Kevin Drew

Dan Auerbach - Keep it Hid - Album Review

****
The solo debut album from Black Keys singer/songwriter/guitarist has just been released and it is a must have for all fans of The Black Keys or for those that wish they were a four-piece. Dan Auerbach has taken full control of this album, singing over a number of instruments including lead and rhythm guitar, drums, keyboards and percussion as well as taking responsibilty for the production and engineering at his own studio, Akron Anaolog.

The album opens with a great acoustic gospel song called "Trouble Weighs a Ton" and is the biggest departure from the heavier sound The Black Keys. The next track "I Want Some More" sounds a bit more familiar featuring some bluesy guitar and funky organ and one of the many highlights of the album. Like all good albums, it takes a few spins before the meldoies reveal themselves but it's worth the effort. Keep it Hid has all the things I love about The Black Keys but with the extra instrumentation and backing vocals, is different enough to be set apart, especially on tracks like "Heartbroken, In Disrepair", "Real Desire", "The Prowl" and "Street Walkin'". The quietier moments on the album like the before mentioned opening track, "When the Night Comes", "Whispered Words", "When I Left the Room" and closing track "Goin' Home" gives the debut album more depth. In conclusion this is a worthy and ecelectic release from The Black Keys frontman and after seeing him in action in January, more proof that he is a legend of our time.

Unforunately there are no film clips from the album yet but I here is the audio for "Street Walkin'".

Favourite Albums by Decade

2000 - 2009
1. The Dandy Warhols - Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia
2. Gomez - In Our Gun
3. The Beautiful Girls - Learn Yourself
4. Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around
5. Mason Jennings - Century Spring
6. The White Stripes - Elephant
7. You Am I - Dilettantes
8. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
9. The Strokes - Is This It
10. Jack Johnson - Brushfire Fairytales
11. Queens of the Stone Age - Rated R
12. Matt Costa - Songs We Sing
13. Ben Harper - Diamonds on the Inside
14. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
15. Damien Rice - O
16. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
17. The Black Keys - Attack and Release
18. Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Love Bad News
19. Cold War Kids - Robbers and Cowards
20. Gomez - How We Operate
21. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
22. Kings of Leon - A-ha Shake Heartbreak
23. Xavier Rudd - Solace
24. Beck - Guero
25. Jurassic 5 - Power in Numbers
26. Michael Franti - Songs from the Front Porch
27. Tool - 10,000 Days
28. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
29. Angus & Julia Stone - A Book Like This
30. Dr. Dog - Fate
31. Eels - Daisies of the Galaxy
32. The Beautiful Girls - Ziggurats
33. Mason Jennings - Boneclouds
34. Ween - La Cucharacha
35. Gomez - Split the Difference
36. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever You Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
37. Ben Harper - Both Sides of the Gun
38. Something for Kate - Echolalia
39. Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
40. Okkervil River - The Stage Names
41. The Bees - Octopus
42. Donavon Frankenreiter - Self-Titled
43. Josh Pyke - Memories and Dust
44. Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová - Once (OST)
45. The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
46. Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf
47. John Butler Trio - Three
48. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
49. The Panics - Cruel Guards
50. The Zutons - You Can Do Anything


1990 - 1999
1. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik
2. Ben Harper - Fight For Your Mind
3. Rage Against the Machine - Self Titled
4. You Am I - Hi Fi Way
5. Stone Temple Pilots - Purple
6. Gomez - Liquid Skin
7. Jeff Buckley - Grace
8. Faith No More - King for a Day, Fool For a Lifetime
9. Tool - Aenima
10. Radiohead - OK Computer
11. R.E.M. - Automatic for the People
12. Pearl Jam - Vs
13. Elliott Smith - Figure 8
14. Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
15. Beastie Boys - Ill Communication
16. Nirvana - Nevermind
17. Soundgarden - Superunknown
18. Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape
19. Something for Kate - Elsewhere for 8 Minutes
20. David Gray - White Ladder
21. Gomez - Bring it On
22. Spiderbait - Ivy and the Big Apples
23. Ben Harper - Welcome to the Cruel World
24. You Am I - Hourly, Daily
25. Radiohead - The Bends
26. Weezer - Self Titled (Blue)
27. Pearl Jam - Ten
28. Supergrass - Self-Titled
29. Ween - Chocolate & Cheese
30. Snout - Circle High and Wide
31. Rage Against the Machine - Evil Empire
32. The Tea Party - Splendor Solis
33. Regurgitiator - Unit
34. Tool - Undertow
35. Ben Harper - The Will to Live
36. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication
37. Faith No More - Album of the Year
38. Stone Temple Pilots - Core
39. Ween - The Mullosk
40. Tumbleweed - Galactaphonic
41. Beastie Boys - Hello Nasty
42. Nirvana - In Utero
43. The Lemonheads - It's a Shame about Ray
44. Soundgarden - Down on the Upside
45. The Verve - Urban Hymns
46. Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness
47. Stone Temple Pilots - Tiny Music
48. Red Hot Chili Peppers - One Hot Minute
49. Wilco - Summerteeth
50. Elliott Smith - XO




1980 - 1989
1. AC/DC - Back in Black
2. Faith No More - The Real Thing
3. Metallica - Master of Puppets
4. Violent Femmes - Self Titled
5. Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill
6. Cold Chisel - East
7. U2 - The Joshua Tree
8. Midnight Oil - 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1
9. Travelling Wilburys - Vol. 1
10. Paul Simon - Graceland
11. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mothers Milk
12. Aerosmith - Pump
13. Guns N Roses - Appetite for Destruction
14. R.E.M. - Green
15. Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
16. Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse of Reason
17. Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms
18. The Angels - Two Minute Warning
19. Crowded House - Self-Titled
20. INXS - Kick
21. Cheap Trick - Lap of Luxury
22. Fleetwood Mac - Tango in the Night
23. Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense
24. Cold Chisel - Twentieth Century
25. Minight Oil - Diesel and Dust
26. Guns N Roses - G'N'R Lies
27. U2 - Under a Blood Red Sky
28. Men at Work - Business as Usual
29. Pink Floyd - The Final Cut
30. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A.

1970 - 1979
1. AC/DC - Highway to Hell
2. Neil Young - Harvest
3. Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon
4. Led Zeppelin - 4
5. Bob Marley - Exodus
6. The Beatles - Let It Be
7. Cat Stevens - Tea for the Tillerman
8. The Doors - Morrison Hotel
9. Paul Simon - Self-Titled
10.The Who - Who's Next
11. Nick Drake - Pink Moon
12. John Lennon - Imagine
13. Lou Reed - Transformer
14. AC/DC - Powerage
15. Neil Young - Rust Never Sleeps
16. The Angels - Face to Face
17. Pink Floyd - The Wall
18. Midnight Oil - Head Injuries
19. Radio Birdman - Radios Appear
20. Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic
21. Neil Young - Zuma
22. Bob Dylan - Desire
23. AC/DC - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
24. The Eagles - Hotel California
25. Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols
26. Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
27. Paul Simon - Still Crazy After All These Years
28. Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life
29. Aerosmith - Rocks
30. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

Free Download of new Gomez track

Click this link http://gomeztheband.com/ to get a free download of the excellent new Gomez song "Airstream Driver" from the upcoming album A New Tide. The album will be released on March 28th 2009 in Australia, March 30th in the UK and March 31st in the US. Gomez are my favourite band and can't wait for this to be released after hearing a preview when they played "Mix" and "Very Strange" on their tour of Australia last month. Here is the tracklisting and artwork for the new album.

1. "Mix"
2. "Little Pieces"
3. "If I Ask You Nicely"
4. "Lost Track"
5. "Win Park Slope"
6. "Bone Tired"
7. "Airstream Driver"
8. "Natural Reaction"
9. "Very Strange"
10."Other Plans"
11."Sunset Gates"








Here is a great live version of "How We Operate" from the bands previous album of the same name and the film clip for "Notice". I have also included "Machismo" and "Rhythm & Blues Alibi" for those who might not have heard the excellent sounds of Gomez before.

Tonight: Franz Ferdinand - Album Review

****
The new album by scottish four piece Franz Ferdinand is a return to the form of debut album. Their 3rd album opens with the funky dance track "Ulysses" which begins with a smooth bass line over whispered vocals leading into a thumping synth riff that keeps building until the catchy chorus kicks in. It is their best track since debut single "Take Me Out" and has been stuck in my head for a week. It is a promising start after their hit and miss second album You Could Have It So Much Better.

The album continues to bring the funk with "Turn It On", "No You Girls" and "Twilight Omens" featuring their trademark harmonised choruses and guitar hooks. The second half of the album doesn't quite reach the same level but there is enough good here to make it an enjoyable listen from start to finish. The epic length album version of "Lucid Dreams" does not work as well as the original 3 minute version that was released last year, but still has it's moments. "Bite Hard" opens with some gentle piano which transforms into another pumping dance anthem. "What She Came For" is another catchy dance/rock track as is "Can't Stop Feeling" which features some more dirty synth riffs.

The albums closing tracks "Dream Again" and "Katherine Kiss Me" are a quiet departure from the rest of the album, ditching the electronic sound for a more mellow vibe. This supports the bands assessment of the album having a dusk to dawn theme that starts with party songs and winds down as the album finishes. Although this album for the most part is more of the same, it is still their best album to date and an excellent addition to their catalogue. Here is the clip for the great new single "Ulysses"

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".

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