Blog Archives
Givers
It was splendid to meet the guys from Givers -they were very cheerful, attentive, and courteous. But when they hit the stage last night at The Corner Hotel all that changed. Their indie pop form of psychedelic & melodic rock sashayed from the whimisical to a thrashed out, totally heavy prog-rock finale. They were clearly focussed upon the music only, and not mere pleasantries. The band hails from Lafayette, Louisiana in the deep South, but the vocals (mostly by the enchanting Tiffany Lamson and guitarist Taylor Guarisco) are geographically much more varied; perhaps in need of a definitive style. And although they‘re touring side-shows off the back of the Laneway Festival and double-headlining with Portugal. The Man I believe this young group is still in its formative stage. It‘s not simply their melding of styles; but Givers are incompetent in much of their vocal endeavours, and they perhaps need some kind of ‘hook‘ or ‘thread‘ in their style that will help define their identity. Regardless, and despite my opine that their hit Up, Up, Up is tired and motionless, they did in fact strut their varied talents quite well and I‘m still revelling in the fact they were such a nice group of novice rockstars! Have a listen to Meantime and see what you think:
Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Black Gold
Mash-ups are always a gamble, especially when taking songs from well-established musicians. They have the potential to be brilliant reinterpretations of beloved fan favourites, or disastrous clashes that were better left alone. Fortunately, Tom Caruana is well aware of this risk and has carefully produced yet another outstanding mash-up album of two legendary forces in black music – Jimi Hendrix and the Wu-Tang Clan. Having received widespread online acclaim for his previous release Wu-Tang vs. The Beatles: Enter the Magical Mystery Chambers, this latest offering on Tea Sea Records, titled Black Gold is a unique reawakening of two timeless artists, infusing Hendrix‘s warm and dusty guitar riffs with the ferocious verses of the Wu; all complemented by original, solid beats. Though perhaps not as hooky as its predecessor, this release is just as inventive, and serves as a warm welcome back to the roots of some of the world‘s finest rock and hip-hop music. I anticipate that there are big things on Caruana‘s horizon.
www.teasearecords.net/tomcaruana.cfm
Death Valley Mustangs EP Launch
Next Saturday, the 3rd of September heralds the launch of the much-anticipated, brand new EP by the Death Valley Mustangs.
Titled “Tijuana Bible” this release marks the advent of a more refined sound from The Mustangs: their music has consolidated into a purely rock sound,which is distinctly their own. This latest incarnation also features a refined range of vocal talent, and a musical confidence unheard in their earlier EP. The Death Valley Mustangs play at Pony -doors open 8.30pm until late, with support acts Bugdust, Rayon Moon, and Dan Kirk. $9.
INFX is also offering the chance to WIN A SIGNED COPY of the EP in advance of the launch!
SIMPLY EMAIL infx@email.com a few words that are persuasive enough to merit the prize.
Society Of Beggars
The band sweeps onto stage in a most striking manner; bassist Zack Wright towering over the crowd and indeed, the entire ensemble imposing in their stature.
And then the music is released. Fundamentally a ‘rock‘ band, the ebbs and flows of this music stretch as far between as The Pogues, Greek wedding music, and contemporary rock. Society Of Beggars is the most enjoyable band I have seen in a very long time, and it is brilliant to hear a sound that gives Australia its own Gogol Bordello; albeit one that frontman Yianni Michalopoulos presents most markedly humble and authentic.
The Beggars are touring profusely at moment, on the back of their albumn release ‘Exit Soul‘, produced by Oren Gerassi at Air Particle Ensemble. The albumn is released FREE, and as their website announces: ‘Exit Soul‘ is entirely “free to enjoy, remix, cover or spread it around“ And really, you can‘t get much more bad arse than that! So get downloading, and come support one of their many gigs.
‘Click‘ the image above to claim your Free Copy of ‘Exit Soul‘.
Also, check their History page for upcoming shows.
Death Valley Mustangs
Welcome to hybridised rock.
The Mustangs are a live 4-piece that take the stage with formiddable force. Wearing their influences on the sleeve, these lads present a wall of sound that leaves one reeling. The music lets loose amidst odes to Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Van Halen, The Meanies, Henry Rollins, and contemporary Desert Sessions against an early psy-rock reminiscent of ELO or a Syd Barrett Pink Floyd. However, their sound is their own and the Lo-Fidelity improvisation that marks their climactic waves are an overwhelming sonic pleasure for your sconce.
To critique The Mustangs I would note that their sound overwhelmes the vocal talent of both leading men Slim Jim and Micky Stephendaughter. However, their larynx emissions improve with measured input from the bass guitar behemoth Big Tony, whose subtlety leaves one awaiting a Motorhead’s Lemmy style roar.
‘Bone Diggin‘ Live at the Grace Darling, Collingwood:
Check the Death Valley Mustangs next sound orgasm: Friday, 5th November at Revolver.
-RTB
Phoenix
Howdy,
Weekend, as in here, will be started tomorrow. A time to forget a series of unfortunate events of my daily life which in short term can be called “work“.
Music is one of the perfect runaways for me to release myself from my daily life boredom. No particular music in my playlist, even. Yes…I do separate it into several types of playlists; depends on its genre. Nothing can describe one’s mood better than music, this including me.
I got a suggestion a while ago to check on a song by Phoenix with the title If I ever feel better. I can say that I love this a lot. This song gives a real perfect relaxing ambience. I can dream of myself listening to this song in a real fancy lounge with few friends, cocktails and small dances around.
Taken from a source, it states that Phoenix is a French band which draws elements from an eclectic ’80s upbringing to arrive at their rock-synth sound. Love how the smooth vocal of Thomas Mars blends with synth. What a perfect fusion! Drown by the flow of the music, can’t stop playing it on and on.
Not mentioning how beautiful the lyrics are, which makes all the bitterness seems not so bitter. Sweet….!!
If I ever feel better
Remind me to spend some good time with you
You can give me your number
When it’s all over I’ll let you know
Dance, dance and dance ’til fade. Well, I guess my weekend is starting now…
-Blommer22
Two Door Cinema Club
I’m sat here listening to this disc; the latest offering from French powerhouse label Kitsuné. I picked up this release a few days ago and am quite glad I’d held off listening to it until I was in such a mood as I am in now.
Thus, the record is quite good; if but a tad heavily produced. The album; Tourist History opens with track Cigarettes In The Theatre, which strikes as a somewhat upbeat tune -jovial and easy to digest, melodic while establishing a sound of the European summer in the vein of a Killers or early Franz Ferdinand B-side. Tracks 3 & 4 move through with a charm of melancholic repetition that is to be admired; admonishing earlier typecasting mentioned for Track 1. The sound digresses with the cruisiness that is Something Good Can Work; however the songs continue to wind up when one is just beginning to immerse oneself in its quaint yet rhythmic beauty.
The standout tracks are reluctantly Cigarettes, I Can Talk, Eat Up and Something Good -insomuch as this is an album that demonstrates an excellent continuity and is quite certain to further impress on repeated visits. Hear it for yourself, perhaps?
-Rock The Boat
Faith No More – Melbourne 2010
Right! Just got in…
A fine show. Certainly, the prelude of Andy Kaufmann alter-ego inspired babble proved a continuous farce; but the set list was spot on.
I was inclined, though to flirt with the idea of a down-tempo approach to this live outing and the subsequent adherence to fans and their mode of life. Actually, to be honest these ideas made me think of the Rolling Stones playing ballads to geriatrics. Fear not though! That isn’t to define the quality of songs and performance, in toto.
Personally, I vied to hear ‘Crack Hitler’ but without which the bulk of songs from King For A Day and prior releases certainly satisfied. On lesser thoughts however, it’s Tony Clifton’s said invocation that may well play into Patton’s seemingly endless entertainment satire. Well done!
.
