STACK #130 Aug 2016

MUSIC

REVIEWS

visit www.stack.net.au

stack.net.au/stack-app

DOWNLOAD THE FREE STACK APP FOR EXTRA CONTENT

Shane Nicholson Hell Breaks Loose

Northlane Node No one saw it coming. Not only did Australian band Northlane manage to part ways with their singer with grace and composure, they opened the auditioning process for his replacement to the public, identified a fitting new frontman and confidently marched on – utterly unperturbed – to record one of the best albums of their career. Node is heavy, make no mistake, but it’s the sparser moments that are its best and most bold. Here the band that endured the aforementioned turbulence get to prove that their mantle as one of Australia’s finest rested with their adventurous spirit. Bravo. ( UNFD/Warner) Emily Kelly

Shane Nicholson’s impressive solo albums and two award-winning duet releases with Kasey Chambers have already highlighted his outstanding talent as a singer-songwriter. Since the breakdown of his marriage to Chambers, the songs haven’t come so easily. For this, his sixth solo release, he took time out to visit good friend indigenous songwriterWarren H. Williams near Alice Springs, where he found a place to access and reflect on his life changes and find the songs that make this album so special. Heartbreaking and personally honest, this is a beautiful collection of tracks about self-discovery and new hope. (Lost Highway/Universal) Denise Hylands

New Gum Sarn New Gold Mountain

Well, here it is – the best release of 2015, easy. After listening to this album debut from a bunch of kids punching eons above their age weight division, you’ll agree. Imagine Radiohead withTim Rogers’ crown-of- thorns reflection ( Bad Soy ), slice that between Girl’s most heartbreaking anthems, and add an odd, off-kilter

twang and groovy unease great New Zealand bands exude seemingly without effort (The Clean,The Bats, et al). MoneyTalks initially packs mature tear-stained venom and then right-angles into frenetic hope and joy. Blue Flag could easily have been recorded on a sunny Mancunian afternoon, coming down; while Small Boys offers relaxed pop and bubble with a sleepy drawl. But the apex here is the title offering from these mere eight tracks – New Gold Mountain . Find the video clip and heed my words that around the three minute mark, the dribble leaving your jaw is testament to the ethereal trance these guys envelop you in. Frighteningly amazing. Record company – just tour these guys over here right now please and put me down for every single show, thanks.You’re welcome. ( Northside/Remote Control/Inertia) Jeff Jenkins

STREAMYOUR FAVOURITE ALBUMS AT JBHI-FI NOW... NOW!

Josh Pyke But For All These Shrinking Hearts “Don’t you let me down,” Josh Pyke sings at the start of his fifth solo album – and the Sydney singer-songwriter continues to deliver. Pyke is a little like a local version of Brian Wilson. For the most part, his songs are sunny, but there’s a lot going on beneath the surface. Check out first single Hollering Hearts . It’s this year’s ukulele hit, with Pyke cheerfully rebuking Pete Townshend’s infamous statement, declaring, “I hope I don’t die before I get old.” Overall, there aren’t many surprises. There’s no double twist with Pyke. But when it comes to melodies, he’s a master craftsman. (Wonderlick/ Sony) Jeff Jenkins

The Phoenix Foundation Give Up Your Dreams The Phoenix Foundation have always been sorely underrated, partly because they’re so tough to nail down.The Kiwi ensemble’s sixth LP proves as slippery as ever, spiking cosmic indie rock with playful R’n’B ( Celestial Bodies ), synth-logged balladry ( Myth ) and oddball spoken-word ( Give Up Your Dreams ). Even the straightest song is called Bob Lennon John Dylan . But all those surface quirks are anchored in robust, ambitious songwriting that rewards patient revisiting. Fans of Super Furry Animals andThe Flaming Lips should warm to it most quickly. (Caroline/Universal) DougWallen

LA Priest Inji

I'lls Can I Go with You to Go Back to My Country I'lls is the project of local musicians, producers, sound technicians and audio visual masters Simon Lam, Hamish Mitchell and Dan Rutman. The three famously met while studying, and discovered a shared love of innovative music of all forms. Several singles later, this EP announces a new phase in their craft; the refined, melancholic and rhythmic songs have inspired references to contemporaries such as Caribou, Radiohead and the garage-leaning beatmakers of the UK underground, but I'lls occupy their own unique space in the modern music landscape. One listen and you'll want to go with them to go back to their country too. (Solitaire Recordings) SimonWinkler

Inji is full of surprises. The world weary may be tempted to think they've heard it all before, but LA Priest (aka Sam Dust) wishes to politely disagree, and he has ten tracks of new music as supporting evidence. Sam was once the head of UK electronic pop outfit Late of the Pier – who released an outstanding debut of original work back in 2008, then promptly disappeared – but he's been highly productive in the meantime. The results include the digi-dub masterpiece of Oino , the extended prog-dance excursion of Learning to Love , and the interstellar funk of Occasion . Expect the unexpected. (Domino/EMI) SimonWinkler

AUGUST 2015 JB Hi-Fi www.jbhifi.com.au

094