STACK #161 Mar 2018

MUSIC REVIEWS

visit stack.com.au

THE BREEDERS

Sarah Blasko Depth Of Field At the start it looks impossible. Afterwards it seems inevitable. And in between? The beautiful agony of the creative process. New documentary Blasko explores those transformative moments, with insight from one of Australia’s great songwriters and performers, Sarah herself. We follow Blasko through her residence at Campbelltown Arts Centre in Sydney’s southwest, where work on latest LP Depth Of Field began: with an empty room, an empty stage, an empty page. The doubt, frustration and elation of each decision is shown, and it’s compelling viewing. The songs produced are equally captivating. On Depth Of Field Sarah Blasko finds once more what she’s seeking. An elusive feeling of connection, release, catharsis, and something more mysterious. And it’s shared with the listener in every moment from start to finish. (EMI) SimonWinkler

Yo La Tengo There's A Riot Going On Over almost 35 years, Yo La Tengo have refined their musical craft to fine art. Their early records blended hazy noise-pop and gentle folk balladry, while later albums were rhythmic rock odysseys, hailed as landmarks on their release. There’s A Riot Going On is the sound of an iconic band in full command of their musical powers. None of the songs appearing here were rehearsed beforehand; each textured groove and memorable pop melody is the result of a lifetime’s work captured in a moment of spontaneous play. Though the songs were recorded years apart in some instances, the entire record is a clear, concise and cohesive study of some of rock music’s great romantics issuing a message of hope and humanity. (Matador/Remote Control) SimonWinkler

It’s an old story: bands meet on the road, make friends, and spin-off outfits form. Such was the case withThe Breeders, born from the pairing of 4AD artists Kim Deal of the Pixies andTanya Donnelly of Throwing Muses, in 1989. After a night of clubbing, the pair decided to try their hands at dance music. It didn’t quite happen.To celebrate the release of their first album in a decade, All Nerve , let’s take a look at The Breeders' back catalogue...

Pod (1990) Is it enough to say that The Breeders’ debut was one of Kurt Cobain’s three all-time favourite albums? No, but it’s worth having on your CV. The debut pairing of Deal and Donnelly – and ultimately the only one – saw Steve Albini behind the desk as they recorded an album of original,

quite minimalist indie-pop, which veered from raucous and cutting to sweet and back again. It also includes a slamming cover of The Beatles’ Happiness Is a Warm Gun . Last Splash (1993)

What to do when your main gig – in this case the Pixies – splits? You go back to your side project and amp it up. With Tanya Donnelly having left The Breeders to form Belly, Kim dragged in her sister Kelley, and the group's most successful album was born. Three syllables should

sum it up: Cannonball . Still one of the greatest indie tracks ever, the wild video by famous pals Spike Jonze and Kim Gordon helped propel the earworm into the minds of millions. With other storming tunes like Divine Hammer and Saints , Kim not only proved that she was a pop queen, but that she could also produce a damned fine record. If you're dabbling in The Breeders’ pool, this is the one to start with. Title TK (2002) After a series of aborted recording attempts, and the loss of all members whose surname wasn’t “Deal”, this return to a more Pod -like sound found producer Albini back in the fold. Notable for its prominent sisterly harmonies, Title TK sawThe Breeders exploring their darkness, and getting more sonically experimental. Lead single Off You later found its way onto the soundtrack of old mate Spike Jonze’s odd couple movie Her . Mountain Battles (2008)

Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes Some Girls (Quite) Like Country Music

Calexico The Thread That Keeps Us The undeniable sounds of long- established and durable Tucson act Calexico are all over their ninth album, with the core duo of Joey Burns and John Convertino and their talented band offering a cohesive group experience. Out of their comfort zone of the Arizona desert, they recorded this album in a house-turned- studio called “The Phantom Ship” on the edge of the Northern California coast. The open seascape has found its way into the genre blend of Arizona- meets-Mexico border sounds. With less polish and more grit, The Thread That Keeps Us moves from funky rock 'n' roll to slow folk musings, imbued with mariachi and a hint of country. This is true Americana. (Spunk) Denise Hylands

On their fourth album, Lachlan Bryan &The Wildes endeavour to present themselves as not so polished and perfect, but a little more rough around the edges – and that’s not a bad thing. Storytelling and great songwriting is the core of this album; it truly captures the tales of a mixed bag of characters. Complemented by the band's outstanding musicianship, Bryan finds comfort behind the piano for the most part while his trusty Wildes keep his back. More alternative than mainstream with a nod in song and style to the likes of Waylon Jennings, Townes Van Zandt and Willie Nelson, this is a country album that I’m sure girls and guys will (quite) like. (ABC/Universal) Denise Hylands

Written over several years and recorded at different times as well, Mountain Battles was hailed by fans and critics alike as a return to form, after mixed reactions to Title TK . From the joyous power pop of It’s The Love to the country-drenched, harmonised twang of Here No More

and beyond to grade school Deutsch on the jaunty German Studies , it continued The Breeders' tradition of gleeful stylistic experimentation. And also... We can’t write about Kim Deal without memories of years of bouncing about to Pixies tracks held together by her inimitable basslines springing to mind. So, if you’ve never had the pleasure, their magnificent Doolittle is a must-hear – along with Surfer Rosa, Bossanova, Trompe le Monde ...

072

MARCH 2018

jbhifi.com.au