How time flies! It certainly does when one considers the great departure in sound from the indie-pop of ‘Breathing Tornados’ and latest album from Ben Lee ‘Ayahuasca: Welcome To The Work’, but it only seems like yesterday – fourteen years, in fact – that ‘Nothing Much Happens’ had such a ring of truth about it. Described as Ben Lee’s most ‘ambitious work to date’ and as a ‘sonic document’ of various experiences with the medicinal plant Ayahuasca, the ten tracks presented here sees the Antiopdean edge closer to John Lennon in spirit due to the desire for experimentation and exploration of untapped levels of consciousness. Nowhere is this more evident than the entering through the portal of ‘Welcome To The House of Mystical Death’ and greeted by a shamanic Tricky before opening up into the light of ‘Meditation On Being Born’. There is beauty to be found here with Appleonia and Ben Lee providing dual vocals to, ‘In The Silence’ stretching out an arm to Lee’s past work, whereas the delicate and skeletal nature of songs ‘The Shadow of The Mind’ and more developed ‘The Will To Grow’ continue the experimental journey. It is satisfying to know that artists such as Ben Lee remain willing to push the creative envelope further by taking risks which to others may seem like commercial suicide. ‘Ayahuasca: Welcome To The Work’ was one risk worth pursuing as it is a fascinating addition to a lengthy catalogue of work.
Album Reviews
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Damage
Jimmy Eat World
Sony
Eight albums in and Jimmy Eat World is still decrying about a broken heart. If it wasn’t for the band’s ability to pen a tune or two, then such sentiments after such a lengthy run would have seen their entire catalogue tested for air travel from the nearest window. As it stands, ‘Damage’ tugs at the heartstrings once more with an irresistible set of songs which, if they had been the equivalent to confectionary would have caused severe tooth decay due to their addictive qualities. Title track, ‘Damage’ is a timely reminder of such abilities with its tale of precaution wrapped in a melodic structure. The pulses might be slowing but such disadvantages merely highlight the band’s experience during the reflective ‘Book of Love’ and ever-present Jimmy Eat World tearjerker ‘Please Say No’. There remains life in the tank, however, with the dynamic ‘I Will Steal You Back’ and ‘How’d You Have Me’ before slipping into a more comfortable pace with ‘Byebyelove’. Not exactly reinventing the wheel, Jimmy Eat World deliver album number eight in considerable style despite one or two familiarities proving a little worn.
I’m Going To Kill Myself
Sneeze
Close To Home Records
It was only a matter of time before the ghost of grunge or, more to the point, post-grunge decided to rear its head with the unimaginative yet fitting appellation assigned to Boston three-piece Sneeze. To be totally honest, ‘I’m Going To Kill Myself’ is not a complete step back in time, however, as there are moments to enthuse over here. Right from the off, the meaty and brooding ‘Intro’ really sets out the band’s stall with a vocal straining against the gritty guitars whereas ‘Quit Shitting’ shifts tempo with relative ease, offering a little more in the creative department despite its all abrasive sound. The garage punk of ‘Vaticant’ is a short, sharp, shock before paving the way for the familiar grunge territory of ‘Canker’, ‘Park Her Head’ and ‘Red Bullgirls’; the latter of which would make Buffalo Tom proud. Whether the world is ready for a band such as Sneeze at this precise time is a matter of opinion, but for now, at least, ‘I’m Going To Kill Myself’ is a decent reminder of an otherwise all too familiar genre.
BE
Beady Eye
Columbia
While the world waits for the Liam and Noel reunion, Beady Eye’s second long player actually comes with a strong recommendation of being rather good. Sure, there are still one or two nods towards Liam Gallagher’s former band, coupled with some grating rhyming by numbers lyrics, but at least this time around Beady Eye has managed to step off the Oasis carousel for the majority of the ride. The noticeable difference is a greater use of restraint best heard on the brooding ‘Soul Love’ and beautiful delicacy of ‘Start Anew’ that eventually soars into orbit and recalls guitarist Andy Bell’s former cohorts. ‘Second Bite of The Apple’ could be a personal note to self or merely noting the cynicism of the music press with Liam having his feet tickled by the latest edition of the NME. Elsewhere, ‘Soon Come Tomorrow’ meanders into an enclosed area unable to find the exit due to its lack of direction only to be rescued by the more lively ‘I’m Just Saying’ and experimental duo of ‘Don’t Bother Me’ and ‘Shine A Light’. It seems the sibling rivalry looks set to run another course as Beady Eye have reinvigorated themselves and raised the bar somewhat.
Don’t Foget Who You Are
Miles Kane
Columbia
Miles Kane’s debut ‘Colour of The Trap’ bypassed FLW which was to our detriment. Latest album, ‘Don’t Forget Who You Are’ thankfully readdresses this unfortunate oversight as second chances do not always reveal themselves. Resembling a younger Paul Weller, and possessing the same ability to write numerous hook-laden songs, Miles Kane revels in a 60s sound that is given a modern day indie sheen perfectly highlighted by the delightful handclaps and rousing chorus of ‘Better Than That’. Title track, ‘Don’t Forget Who You Are’ manages to skew in elements of fellow scousers The Coral before riding a gloriously uplifting wave of a chorus the sort The Verve used to conjure up with relative ease. ‘Out of Control’ even recalls Richard Ashcroft, and is a clear indicator of perhaps where he should be, while ‘You’re Gonna Get It’ is a relentless ball of energy and nicely complimented by the more Stones-esque darkly induced rock of ‘Give Up’. ‘Don’t Forget Who You Are’ is not breaking any new boundaries but is definitely welcome when others are failing to live up to former glories.
Lost Ships Sinking With The Sunset
Gillian Carter
Dog Knights Productions
Palm Bay’s Gillian Carter is really on the brink of subsiding into a state of nothingness with the clues being hidden in such lonely vessels as ‘Waking Up (Lost Ships)’ and appropriately titled ‘I’ve Been Forgotten And So Have You’. There is time for reflection, despite facing the inevitable, when the brakes are applied during ‘Recently’ whereas ‘Time (All That Is Left Is Fading)’ suggests a sense of humour with the band enjoying their last supper together before the diminishing light finally fades. It is left, however, to the penultimate, and almost title track, ‘Sinking With The Ships’ to really tower over the preceding content as it’s an absolute colossus of a song ending in a wafer thin line of feedback and fading pulse of accompanying drumbeat. Bleak yet utterly compelling, ‘Lost Ships Sinking With The Sunset’ signals out Gillian Carter as one of the serious contenders in their field.
Supersonic Pulse
Ralph Myerz
Sony
Formerly of The Jack Herren Band, Ralph Myerz has set his course on a solo mission in terms of latest album ‘Supersonic Pulse’. Despite this being a Ralph Myerz album, the number of willing volunteers lending their services gives the impression of a band at work as everyone from Snoop Dogg, George Clinton, Da Youngfellaz to Diana Ross and The Supremes weigh in with invaluable experience. Despite the high level of collaborations, the consistency and flow of ‘Supersonic Pulse’ remains unaffected but can be attributed to its four year gestation period allowing room for experimentation and no doubt numerous retakes. Highlights include ‘Do The Damn Thang’ with Snoop Dogg, ‘Something New’ featuring Diana Ross and The Supremes peeling back the years with some beautiful vocals and the central narrative of the entire album ‘A Dream U Can Feel’ seeing Myerz in reflective mood and brought to life by Da Youngfellaz and K-Quick. However, the abrasive surface and gruff tones of David Banner’s ‘So Romantic’ and dark tinges of ‘Take A Look At The World’, with its appropriate sounding sense of detachment, bring home the prizes overall when it comes to ‘Supersonic Pulse’.
Somewhere In Time
Ilias
Untitled
Despite its misleading imagery that will no doubt have the rockabilly fraternity salivating in droves, Sydney based producer and songwriter Ilias has constructed an album’s worth of material best suited to the genre of indie. The end result is ‘Somewhere In Time’ which lives up to its moniker as the whole album gives the impression of fleeting memories rather than detailing the intricate parts of a succession of broken relationships. Such emotions are given credence due to the dreamscape atmosphere wafting through nearly each and every song from the opening hazy shimmer of ‘Never Utter The Word Never’ to the delicate strumming and texture running through ‘One Of A Kind’. ‘This Life’ provides a bit more meat on the bones in terms of the central protagonist only to head straight into the same cryptic tunnel once more with ‘Lonely’ despite a more robust tempo. Clearly one to not give too much away, Ilias has conjured up an album that is beautiful in its execution, recalling elements of Radiohead, Travis and even more encouragingly the sparseness of a latter-day Talk Talk, and remains equally beguiling in terms of its scant narratives.
Raise The Alarm (single)
Rayne
Untitled
One of the definite highlights from an otherwise patchy debut album, ‘Raise The Alarm’ opens in what sounds like a mass of sprawling guitars before settling down into something of a melodic and melancholic indie-rock number à la Muse. Nothing wrong with that of course as Rayne seem to have a knack of being able to conjure up wonderful anthemic delights that pull at the senses long after the player has grinded to a halt. New single ‘Raise The Alarm’ will definitely do their cause for indie-rock stardom no harm, especially with such lovelorn lyrics as, ‘And days roll into one, since the day you had gone, I’ve missed you forever’. Likely to be among the contenders next year.
An Autobiography
Old Gray
Dog Knights Productions
Far from being a laugh a minute as songs muse over fears of dying and the curiosities associated with this very subject matter, Old Gray release ‘An Autobiography’, their debut album on Dog Knights Productions. The gradual encroachment of ‘Wolves’ with its delicate strumming and choir-esque vocals literally sensing the doom-laden content encircling before a Who-esque guitar jangle reminiscent of ‘Pinball Wizard’ provides a temporary lull before collapsing into a heap of gut wrenching emotions, marks the start of this full-length album in compelling style. The foreboding ‘Coventry’ (not about that one, although…) is full of self-loathing and hanging by the barest of threads only to be surpassed in the emotion stakes with the desperate escapism of ‘The Graduate’. Where ‘An Autobiography’ differs from several of its contemporaries’ efforts, however, is the scope and vision given to songs ‘Show Me How You Self-Destruct’, which allows for a differing tempo and instrumentation as does the enthralling structure of ‘I Still Think About Who I Was Last Summer’ giving the impression that Old Gray will be confronted without difficulties when it comes to developing their sound for album number two.
Random Access Memories
Daft Punk
Columbia
Daft Punk returns after a lengthy absence of some eight years with ‘Random Access Memories’, the band’s fourth studio album, which has been causing much discussion within various media circles. The reason for such hot debate is due to the French duo’s innovative thinking that has redefined pop and electronic music, as well as leaving a lasting impression with their unique videos captured best with the unforgettable ‘down on his luck’ of ‘Da Funk’. ‘Random Access Memories’ will continue these discussions as it certainly lives up to its pre-billing with the catchy disco of single ‘Get Lucky’, to the slowed tempo of ‘The Game of Love’ replete with its electronic vocal and closing refrain ‘I just wanted you to stay’ recalling the album’s thematic. It is the breadth of musicality present throughout ‘Random Access Memories’ that truly impresses, running a scale from funk/disco, indie-esque electro-pop (‘Instant Crush’) to completely outrageous theatre dramatics (‘Touch’) and therefore providing a wonderful kaleidoscopic of sounds literally plucked from the memory banks of Daft Punk. ‘Random Access Memories’ is the sound of a band once more leading the way.
London With The Lights On
Stooshe
Warner Music Norway
Spilling forth in glorious fashion, London-based three-piece Stooshe reveal their debut album to be something of considerable depth, setting it high above sea level of the overpopulated run-of-the-mill formula of girl bands. ‘London With The Lights On’ is anything but formulaic as Stooshe open up their world in a sassy ‘Supremes-esque ‘Slip’ and complimented with the quasi-Motown sounding ‘Love Me’, complete with spoken worded exchanges between band members and in the process revealing their sense of humour in the broadest of London accents. The knockout blow arrives, however, with the sublime ‘Black Heart’ showing the girls can play it straight and oh boy, what a song! At your own peril, avoid prejudging Stooshe on face value as you will leave severely empty-handed because ‘London With The Lights On’ is a glorious treasure-trove of stunningly good songs.