cd reviews

Abbe May a howlin’ and a moanin’

Once night, watching Rockwiz there was this: It was one of those “Who the hell is this? I must hear more.” I couldn’t find more until recently as the artist in question, Abbe May just released her first album titled Howl and Moan. And a fine debut it is. Abby’s blues influence is obvious through [...]

And we call upon the author to explain

AbattoirBlues/Lyre of Orpheus was is the most exhilarating and rewarding album released by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. Because of that it would be a hard one to follow up. Not that Nick and the Seeds were in any hurry. To fill the gap, Grinderman was released that allowed Nick to give reign [...]

The thematic eMusic downloads for February

Joy of joys, my eMu account ticked over and a download I went. For some reason, the downloaded albums revolved around a theme. You work it out. First there was Melbourne band Damnzal with a self titled album of great melodic metal. Then CJ Sleez with Back from the Brink. Another treasure trove of full tilt [...]

Some honking great rock’n'roll

A few weeks ago, Adam Spencer spun an awesome 1950’s rock’n'roll tune called Wiggle Tail by Googie Rene. The track came from Rarities from the Bob Hite Vault. Bob Hite was a member of Canned Heat and apparently had an incredible collection of of 78s. I found the rarities collection on eMusic and promptly added [...]

Not quite so bitchin’

For many artists, the quest each new album is to explore new musical terrains. To expand their sonic palette and not get stuck into rut with an identifiable sound and style. On the other hand you have a bands like The Donnas that realize their strengths lie in what they have always done and [...]

Feeling Minnesota Pt 1 - Hüsker Dü

Back in the early 90s commonly I associated with a bunch of ne’er do wells, scoundrels, scalliwags and other people generally on the run. Yes, I was running with the ex-pat English teaching crowd in Japan. And a fine mob they were too down south in Kokura. There was a tendency towards very long nights [...]

Airbourne are running wild but need direction

It is no secret that Aussie lads Airbourne take their musical queues from classic Oz pub rawk trinity of Rose Tattoo, The Angels and AC/DC. Thrown in a dash of Priest and Maiden and you pretty much have their sound. And there is nothing wrong with that. It is a mighty template for rock [...]

Torrents of Lang

There is no denying that Jeff Lang is one of Australia’s musical treasures. A superb singer/songwriter and of course, guitarist. He’s even appeared on Spicks and Specks. It was 6 years ago this Easter that I first saw Jeff in one of the tents at Byron. Maybe it was just beers but at the end of [...]

Love Junk

Now if you are Candian the power pop of The Pursuit of Happiness may not be that unfamiliar. And if you are an Aussie with a good memory you may remember the 1988 song I’m An Adult Now that got some airplay. But apart from that one brief flutter, TPOH has never resurfaced in [...]

Led Zep: Lean and Mean on DVD

Most weekends see The Beloved and myself engaged in titanic battles of vocabulary over the Scrabble board. Usually I like to have the footy in background but as the season is over (apart from tomorrow’s NRL grand final) music DVD’s have been playing in the background. The other day I picked up Led Zep’s live 2003 [...]

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