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And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead IX
Never shying from sonic extravagance to accentuate honesty, our Texan friends are back for
their ninth album in 16 years (see what they did there!). Rockier, drummier, crunchier, this is
easily their most commercially friendly album to-date, with varying success (Lie Without a Liar
is a little too Blink 182 for fan comfort). Take A Million Random Digits; all staccato drums and
operatic angst that’s begging for a live onslaught, which no doubt radio will be quick to ignore.
Yet T.O.D have never been a radio band, they have followers and worshippers akin to people
who play World of Warcraft. Nothing wrong with that, and it’s easy to understand, as their
dedication to artistic purity can never be in question. Pity, then, it’s unlikely a new legion of fans
will get the chance to hear what may be their favourite album of the year. Released here with
not so much as a hand-held sparkler in promotion or fanfare, it’s a damn shame. Although visual
artist, songwriter, guitarist, front man and all-round conjurer Conrad Keely probably doesn’t give
a toss. They record, they tour… they go back to their lives. I, for one, hope they keep going on
as long as there’s electricity; our mental fantasy is better for it. Century Media/Universal
Pink Floyd The Endless River
Perhaps they should have just left the building, Elvis style, with people
truly wanting more. With only two original members left it was always
going to be a retrospective affair as this is essentially an instrumental
trawl/remix through 20 hours of unused Division Bell (’94) sequences.
It feels like a bunch of good session musos noodling about after hearing
Shine On You Crazy Diamond in a shopping centre; yet nice for remedial massage if you
added dolphin sounds. For extreme fans? Sure. If not for the rest of us who all share a
magical anecdote to hearing Floyd from some stage of our lives… Sony
Pond Man It Feels Like Space Again
The naughty lads from Perth with far too much musical ability and a
seemingly immune reaction to sleep are back, again. Successfully broken
away from Tame Impala comparisons, Pond is a force to be reckoned with
on their own merit. From the get-go these nine tracks are relentless in their
freedom. Waiting Around for Grace turns Rundgren right-angles into electro-happiness from
Spiritualized-meets-Mercury Rev fairy tale beginnings; Elvis’ Flaming Star demands foot-
stomping (Kenny Loggins on Mars, or is it just me??). Since one of the more interesting tracks
is titled, Heroic Shart, yes – the seriousness is in the tunes, not the way they take themselves.
We love that; get on their rocket. Emi/Universal
Franz Nicolay To Us, The Beautful
Multi-Musician, songwriter, collaborator, author… Hell, he’s probably
also running a chain of restaurants; safe to say Mr Nicolay ain’t no
slouch. Having been a member of The Hold Steady and playing on
numerous albums including with our own Living End, he’s a storyteller
sy spirit. A bright, loud and ‘awake’ experience, this album is best heard
driving across America, preferably the Mid-west as he evokes a Springsteen/Zevon fable
although recited by Meat Loaf (Talk To Him In Shallow Water). Be warned, it jumps into an
almost theatrical opera at times, but only for a touch. Kobalt/Inertia
upiter Zeus On Earth
ore Perth tunes heading across the barren land to engage ears; apt
hen this is a stoner-sludgy affair which fans of Soundgarden and
ate-era Sabbath (and to a lesser extent QOTSA, Fu Man… et al) will get
kick out of. Sure, this is more of the ‘grandiose’ end of Space/Doom/
syche (whatever the Hell you wanna call it,) but there’s no doubting
these guys can play and are passionate. No, they’re not teenagers; they’re veteran
believers in what they do – you can hear it. Not afraid to have a BIG polished sound; you
too should be brave enough to give ‘em a listen, if the above made any sense at all.
Magnetic Eye/Rocket
Jeff Jenkins is a poor player but a great listener.
Hoodoo Gurus Gravy Train
The Beatles put it beautifully: We can work it out. Most bands end
acrimoniously. But this EP gathers all eight past and present Gurus to
revisit four songs from the “old days”, three of which had never been
recorded. The songs wouldn’t sound out of place on Stoneage Romeos
and Mars Needs Guitars! All eight members, including the original Le Hoodoo Gurus –
Dave Faulkner, James Baker, Roddy Radalj and Kimble Rendall (who went on to become a
movie director, making the cult classics Cut and Bait) – deliver a rollicking new version of
their debut single, Leilani. Get on board. Sony
Radical Son Cause‘n Affect
It’s an extraordinary story of redemption: a promising rugby league
player ends up in jail, beats a heroin addiction, meets Steve Balbi from
Noiseworks, and finally makes his debut album. Radical Son (real name
David Leha) has got plenty of tales to tell. “Human behaviour,” he sings,
“how can I explain?” A potent mix of soul, hip hop and indigenous influences, this is a
compelling album about the struggle to change and do the right thing. Guests include
Emma Donovan, Deline Briscoe, Crystal Mercy and Archie Roach, but this is Radical Son’s
story, and it’s powerful and real. Wantok/MGM
Chris Murray loves pop culture and loves to share.
AC/DC Rock or Bust
AC/DC haven’t had a year like it since Bon Scott’s death in 1980. Founding member
Malcolm Young departed, suffering from dementia, replaced by nephew Stevie Young.
Then drummer Phil Rudd was accused of drug possession and threats to kill. Amidst it all,
AC/DC managed to release another chart-topping album, featuring a song called Rock
The Blues Away. It’s a celebration of drinking, smoking, hanging with mates and maybe
picking up. After all of AC/DC’s anguish, the power of music shouldn’t be underestimated.
Appropriately, the album opens with a thundering riff and a musical manifesto. “We turn
the amps on high,” Brian Johnson sings, his voice as shrill as when he joined the gang 34
years ago. “In rock we trust.” Rock Or Bust is tight, taut and, for the most part, terrific. No
flab, few frills – 11 songs clocking in at 35 minutes. If AC/DC ever issue a best-of, how
many of these songs will feature? Not many. But AC/DC are rock’s great survivors. These
are songs that make you feel good to be alive. The album comes with a heartfelt thank
you to Malcolm Young, “who made it all possible.” Alberts/Sony
The Grates Dream Team
The Grates singer Patience Hodgson and guitarist John Patterson have
been busy running a café in Brisbane, where new drummer Ritchie Daniell
works as a barista. They work together and now play together, releasing
the first Grates album in three years. They may no longer be a “buzz
band”, but Dream Team – recorded in six days – is full of energy and electricity, punky
and punchy, with Hodgson coming across as a mix of Chrissy Amphlett and Courtney Love.
The Grates might have grown up (Hodgson and Patterson are becoming parents) but this
remains the sound of youthful exuberance. Death Valley/Create Control/Universal
Montaigne Life of Montaigne
Montaigne (real name Jessica Cerro) is an act to watch in 2015.
Unearthed by Triple J in 2012, she spent the next couple of years honing
her songwriting skills, and it shows. She’s still a teenager, but Life of
Montaigne , produced by Tony Buchen, is so confident and assured, she
could easily become the next Lorde-like global superstar. There are just five tracks here,
but each piece of grand, atmospheric pop is close to perfect. Here’s hoping the music world
doesn’t change Montaigne too much. As she sings, “If I’m a little bit deranged, would you not
estrange me or change me.”Wonderlick/Sony
JANUARY 2015 JB Hi-Fi
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