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82 NOVEMBER 2016
MUSIC REVIEWS
Tkay Maidza TKAY
Tkay Maidza is like a steam train: it
took a while to gain momentum, but
now there’s no stopping her.
The young South Australian’s
excellent Switch Lanes EP and
an A+ live show have gained the
attention of an industry screaming
out for more female hip hop artists.
TKAY is marbled with intergalactic
synths, dancehall vibes and her
furious flow. Lyrically, she’s got a lot
to say; she lets loose on haters on
the Killer Mike-featured Carry On
and rallies for peace on the robustly
bouncy Drumsticks No Guns with
mischievous sarcasm – perhaps the
most appealing thing about TKAY.
If this is the kind of record being
released at 20 by the bubbly Maidza,
world domination is inevitable, and I
for one welcome our new supreme
leader. (Dew Process/Universal)
Tim Lambert
Ben Lee Freedom, Love And
The Recuperation Of The
Human Mind
It’s a classic Ben Lee title:
Freedom, Love And The
Recuperation Of The Human Mind.
No local pop performer polarises
people like Ben Lee. Me? I think
he’s one of the great Australian
songwriters. For his 11th studio
album, Lee’s still “chiselling
away at the stone”. But after a
lengthy external search for the
meaning of life – involving gurus
and mind-altering drugs – Lee
has gone within, urging listeners
to “take a moment, catch our
breath” and “think for yourself”.
“It’s equilibrium that I seek,” he
confides in Bigger Than Me. Lee’s
existential poetic pop, augmented
by Sara Watkins’ exquisite backing
vocals, is perfect for Smooth FM.
(ABC/Universal) Jeff Jenkins
Various Recovery
C’mon ABC… what the hell is wrong with you? You
simply won’t press the button, wave that green flag
and give kids another live music/variety show that
has an edge, an artistic release and an aspirational
vibe of positivity and camaraderie against the turgid
commercial crap on offer. Okay, kids; this is THE
SH-T! There’s a reason why the ‘90s were great
for local music in Oz – we didn’t have the Internet, we had Recovery.
Just about everything on this is killer (we fast-forwarded Ben Lee and The
Whitlams ‘cos, lets face it, life’s too short) and played live, in an ‘anything
can happen’ way. These are impeccably recorded tracks by bands arguably
in their prime; Grinspoon’s jaw-dropping-debut of Champion, Jon Spencer
Blues Explosion’s Wail; Silverchair’s best and most Sabbath meets
Zeppelin offering, The Door; Snout’s Hey, Hey, Hey – man, even The Clouds
sound exciting compared to what we hear on most radio today. 40 tracks
including You Am I, Spiderbait, Cake, Custard, Sonic Youth, Dave Graney,
Frenzal Rhomb, Ben Folds (pre Opera House), Midnight Oil, Kim Salmon,
Tumbleweed… plus a double DVD of live performances different to the
ones on CD. Yes, you can spend an entire weekend getting through this.
Make your own judgement; and although this isn’t the best release of the
year – it’s the only one you MUST own. (ABC/Universal) Chris Murray
Crowded House (1986)
The impressive debut which included the signature song
Don't Dream It's Over and other hits Something So
Strong, Mean to Me, World Where You Live and Now
We're Getting Somewhere alongside the highly personal
Hole In The River and their re-recording of Split Enz's I
Walk Away . Among the 17 extra tracks are the studio
demo of Hole In The River and the home demo of Don't Dream It's Over.
Temple Of Low Men (1988)
In a rudely suggestive title, this second album confirmed
Neil Finn as one of the greatest pop songwriters since
the Lennon-McCartney team. He spun out memorable
singles with Better Be Home Soon, Into Temptation, When
You Come, Sister Madly and I Feel Possessed. Half the 10
songs were released as singles, and among the 21 extra
tracks are live versions of the Byrds' Eight Miles High and So You Wanna
Be A Rock'n'Roll Star , plus Dylan's Mr Tambourine Man (all with former
Byrd Roger McGuinn).
Together Alone (1993)
Although its predecessor Woodface (1991) found Neil
reunited with brother Tim and included Four Seasons
In One Day , It's Only Natural, Fall At Your Feet and the
American-baiting Chocolate Cake (perversely the first
single), Together Alone is a more interesting album. It
didn't spring hits but does contain Private Universe,
Distant Sun, the rocking Locked Out and has a Maori choir and log drums
on the title track. The band was stretching.
Time On Earth (2007)
Recorded after the death of drummer Paul Hester and their
first studio album in almost 15 years, this was a return to
form… but with a twist. Among the many guests were
former Smiths' guitarist Johnny Marr, Finn's children Elroy
and Liam, and producer/arranger Ethan Jones. Musically
ambitious, lyrically fascinating and again full of memorable
songs. The extra 13 songs are mostly home and studio demos.
CROWDED HOUSE
And also...
Check out the combined star power on 7 Worlds Collide CD/DVD set
(2001), the Finn-helmed project with Marr, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, Tim
and others, and Finn's more recent dream-pop Dizzy Heights (2014).
For more interviews, reviews and overviews from Graham Reid visit
When Crowded House play their reunion concert
in Sydney this month it will be 30 years since
their self-titled debut album and 20 since their
famous farewell on the steps of the Sydney
Opera celebrate all this, six studio
albums and the rarities collection Afterglow are
being given the expanded reissue treatment.
But for the generations that missed the beloved
band in their heyday, where to start?