Album Review: Public Enemy, What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down? (Enemy Records Ltd)
Hostilities are opened from the first line of Public Enemy’s Pandemic Year album Not pretty, slaps you in the head and kicks your butt. But it also completes an American Classic trilogy of It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and Fear of a Black Planet. State of the Union/ Shut the […]
Album Review: Wax Chattels – Clot (Flying Nun Records)
A tense visceral experience with a strange beauty and charm is Clot the album. From the Auckland noise merchants and music mercenaries that is the threesome Wax Chattels.
Album Review: Marilyn Manson, We Are Chaos (Loma Vista Recordings)
Marilyn Manson is one of those artists that weather changes in musical fashion and manages to remain relevant. He started way back in 1989 as Marilyn Manson & The Spooky Kids. Since then he has released 11 studio albums. We are Chaos is one of his best since Mechanical Animals.
Album Review: Bob Mould – Blue Hearts (Merge Records)
On stage before the curtains pull back, Bob Mould is strumming an acoustic guitar and lamenting. And we’re all going to war/ And we’re all gonna die/ I wear my heart on my sleeve. Far from it as the Blue Hearts album is revealed in all its fierce and raging glory. The spirit of Hüsker […]
Album Review: Delta Spirit, What Is There (New West Records)
What Is There is not a question. Delta Spirit on this album take a tour through Heartland America. They can be as bemused and resigned as anyone over the course of this unprecedented year. But the music drives it with optimism to foreshadow a brighter future. So, it is distinctively American.
Album Review: Fleet Foxes – Shore
While you were sleeping Fleet Foxes released a “surprise” new album, Shore, their first since 2017’s Crack-Up.
Concert Review: Alda Rezende, Ponsonby Social Club, 18 September 2020
Alda Rezende has a commanding presence when she comes on stage. From Minas Gerais State in heartland Brazil. A spicy gumbo of Indigenous, Portuguese, African and European people. Music which draws from Latin, Folk, Country, Popular, Classical, Jazz and Punk! Tasty soul food to accompany the music tonight. All the senses tantalized and entertained tonight […]
Album Review: A. Swayze & The Ghosts, Paid Salvation (Sunset Pig Records)
Tasmanian newbies A. Swayze & The Ghosts are a fresh revival of Punk. An act of resurrection in the spirit of the original artists. Irreverent and full of humour whilst giving their own generation a few swift kicks in the head and arse.
EP Review: Hey! King – Be Still (ANTI- Records)
Hey! King are a young American couple who sing Indie Folk songs with an exhilarating intensity on their debut EP Be Still. They have been mentored by Ben Harper who produces here, as well as having them as support artists on his tours.
Album Review: Angelheaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan & T.Rex (BMG)
A stellar ensemble of artists which include Nick Cave, Lucinda Williams, Todd Rundgren, Joan Jett, two sons of John Lennon amongst others, lay down a worthy and often inspired double album’s worth of classic Marc Bolan songs. Preceding his induction to the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame later in November this year.
Album Review: Rumer – Nashville Tears (Cooking Vinyl)
Rumer pays tribute to Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame alumnus Hugh Prestwood. The match is like vintage whisky, or bourbon to be accurate. Glides down so smoothly and the warmth then resonates through you.
Album Review: Toots and the Maytals – Got to Be Tough (Trojan Jamaica)
Frederick “Toots” Hibberts is one of the world’s all-time greatest singers. Passionate people still like to duke it out as to who was greater Soul singer, Otis Redding or James Carr. Toots is a blend of both.
Album Review: Molly Tuttle – …but I’d rather be with you ( Molly Tuttle)
Molly Tuttle is a musical prodigy who has a growing cult following among aficionados of American Roots music.
Album Review: Katy Perry, Smile (Capitol Records)
That’s what makes a woman. There it is! Katheryn. So says Katy Perry at the end of Smile. And you can go dance all over again to this great Pop album. Tooled to perfection, shiny and new, runs like a Tesla and feels expensive. Party like it’s only a bad dream out there.
Album Review: L.A. Witch, Play with Fire (Suicide Squeeze Records)
Play with Fire is the second offering from the garage band L.A. Witch. Founded by L.A natives Sade Sanchez (vocals, guitar), Irita Pai (bass), and Ellie English (drums), the band’s sound can be been described as lethargic, stoner rock reverb steeped with a riot grrrl attitude.
Album Review: The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Almost Home (Single Lock Records)
Spanning eight decades as professional performers, The Blind Boys of Alabama are America. Founder and magnificent inspirational lead singer Clarence Fountain is here. He died a year after Almost Home’s original release in 2017. Jimmy Carter is here. A little younger than Clarence, he joined the Blind Boys in the early eighties, after serving time […]
Album Review: Biffy Clyro – A Celebration Of Endings (14th Floor Records)
At the core of this album, Biffy Clyro is a great Power-Pop trio. Relentlessly upbeat in mood even if a lot of the lyrics are dark, dystopian and desperate.
EP Review: Aro – He Manu Ano (Aro)
Aro are Charles and Emily Looker, a married couple who are developing a distinctive sound of Aotearoa New Zealand from familiar musical traditions.
EP Review: K M T P – P.S. C U Soon (Sunreturn)
On this debut EP, K M T P delivers simple songs as comfort food for the soul. Of a young person raised in the rural heartland, and wondering how to fit into a city. A coming of age.
Album Review: Fontaines DC – A Hero’s Death (Partisan Records)
The young Irish band, Fontaines DC, performs an exorcism of music and travel through dark shadows to emerge to the peace in the valley.